Bihar, one of the least developed States of India goes to polls shortly. Its backwardness has something to do with many a thing. One reality, stark reality is its poor infrastructure facilities. A State's overall development is very much linked with its infrastructure development. Even after decades of rule by various parties Indian National Congress down Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) and presently Janata Dal (United), the State's development was at a standstill as each party, its leaders all concentrated on filling each's coffers and as a result corruption ate into the vitals of the entire society. Many a scam unearthed,a few leaders at the top had to spend their days behind bars, but inspite of all this, corruption was widespread among political parties and bureacrats. For instance Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, though ruled 15 years at a stretch virtually did nothing was reported to have done nothing for the uplift of the masses. Instead he got embroiled in the infamous fodder scam involving crores of rupees and consequently he was imprisoned for a short span and in his absence he made it sure that power should not go into the hand of any other person in his party as he was not sure of that person's loyalty and therefore the baton was handed over to his wife Rabri Devi , reportedly an illiterate lady her only qualification being two facts, one she is the obedient wife of her husband, second she is a home-maker. Of late, Lalu has brought into politics one of his children and in practically all election campaigns junior Lalu is very much seen. Penchant for dynastic succession is seeming to prevalent among certain parties of India, infact not only India but also across a few countries abroad. Instances abound and I don't want to finger-point those elements at this particular juncture.
Poverty, unemployment, lack of education, malnoursihment, lack of better health facilities, lack of irrigation facilities, power shortage, crater filled roads, all are reasons behind the backwardness of this poor State.
In Bihar, though after Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) came to power some positive changes are however visible. Infrastructural facilities have somewhat changed for the better, investments in business and industrial sectors slowly developing the standard of living has marginally gone up than the previous levels to the satisfaction of those at the bottom ladder of the society. Furthermore, though JD(U) is an ally of Bharatiya Janata Party, Nitish Kumar has always cared to keep it under check and the playing of communal card by that Party is not allowed by him. His antipathy towards Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is well-known and his very visit to Bihar is to the dislike of Nitish Kumar and the latter has vowed not to share dais with the BJP strong man. For the time-being BJP has taken care to play it safe as breaking the alliance with JD(U) over the Modi issue is tantamount to dig its own grave. At a time BJP is planning to widen its network across India, that is quite unthinkable. Keeping mum is seen to be the best way out for the time-being, thus it feels. Once Congress ruled the State for prolonged periods and even after prolonged rule that party could do virtually nothing for the progress of the State. Another painful fact of that periods though Congress was at the helm, the Communist parties too were formidable forces, particularly Communist Party of India (CPI). CPI(M) was also very much in the picture and if these two parties could join hands and fought the elections, and launched mass struggles, the scenario would have been quite different.
But both parties adopted a lukewarm attitude towards the grave problems the State was facing and that cold approach paved the way for their disintegration in fact. For namesake the two parties exist in the State, and in the coming elections though both have decided to contest almost all seats at some places hand in hand and at other few places friendly contests without any party's support, nothing fruitful would result instead there is every possiblity each party forefeiting deposits. Our communist parties need not blame others rather squarely blame themselves for their abject, pathetic plight in the State.
Their failure and lukewarm approach to the immediate needs of the society as also the same deplorable approach of Indian National Congress (INC) paved the way for the budding of caste divisions in the party under certain caste leaders. This resulted in the birth of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan, communal parties like Muslim League and like-minded parties. People thinking along caste lines are a bane of our society which actually led to the eclipse of National Parties in North India as well as some States across South India. Regional Chauvinism now has many takers not only among parties but also among political commentators, columnists, media community et al. An unfortunate truth ofcourse, numerous justifications they might have. A national debate across the wide-spectrum of society including intellectuals, writers and media people and social activists is long overdue and is highly desirable.
Even Nitish Kumar though claiming to be hailing from a so-called national party too thinks along caste-levels and to perpetuate his rule he leaves no stone unturned to satisfy the needs of a bundle of castes across Bihar like Yadavs, Chamars, Muslims and his own caste Kurmis. And keeping elections always in mind, he takes care to propitiate the 'deities' of these castes and thus a caste-driven society has resulted. Is it desirable or not, please decide.....
One perennial problem like a thorn in the flesh is the Maoist problem and it is a pointer towards the grim plight of the tribals, their centuries old exploitation and consequent poverty, hunger, lack of education, health and unemployment. The manifestation of their anger and frustration through violence needs to be taken care of seriously, suppression not at all the answer instead a holistic approach needs to be taken both by the Centre and the State. Otherwise with the approach of the elections Maoist threat is quite probable and the innocent ones will be the worst suffered.
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