News Analysis: Losing election in key eastern Indian state blow to Modi's developmental agenda

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday suffered a major jolt in a key regional election in the eastern state of Bihar, in what was perceived as a referendum on his economic program.

The BJP that ran against a grand alliance of three major parties -- the state's ruling Janata Dal (United), the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the country's main opposition Congress party -- was decimated in the polls as it managed to secure barely 60 seats in the 243-member assembly.

Experts say the result of Bihar polls clearly indicate a personal blow to Modi as he was the face of the party in the election campaign and it was a referendum on his developmental agenda.

Many in India have criticized Modi for adopting a pro-corporate economic policy while failing to help the country's majority poor population.

"Despite exit polls suggesting a massive win for the BJP, the ruling party lost the key assembly election in Bihar. This shows people are not convinced about the economic program undertaken by the Indian government," said political analyst Prof Ajay Singh.

Some have also rapped the BJP for adopting a policy of endorsing communal polarization and religious, cultural intolerance.

Some political analysts suggest that it was because of some Hindu fundamentalist elements in the party that the BJP lost the polls, despite Modi campaigning on his development plank in the state.

"A few BJP leaders resorted to petty politics such as talking about banning beef in the state, which was perceived as divisive politics by people. Many perceived such tactics as part of the BJP's efforts to divide Hindu and Muslim votes. That didn't work," said another expert, Prof S.K. Gupta.

He added: "India is a secular country. Here divisive politics won't work. Modi's good work and positive campaigning has gone down the drain because of a few fundamentalist elements in his party. Cow gives milk, it can't give votes. Modi must rein in the fundamentalists elements in BJP."

According to experts, the prime minister had been hoping that a victory in Bihar would boost his party's strength in Rajya Sabha (Upper house of Parliament), which made up of representatives of state legislatures, where he lacks a majority to pass through crucial reform bills.

"Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled off a great victory, for the third time in a row. He also campaigned on developmental plank but his party members and members of the grand alliance never resorted to any loose talk. The grand alliance maintained consistency," said Prof Singh.

After the grand alliance's win, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said the Bihar result "shows India plans to remain united".

"The prime minister and the BJP must shed their arrogance. The truth is this victory is not against the BJP and its alliance partners but against the ideology of BJP, its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh and Modi," he told the media.

Gandhi added: "This is a message against putting Hindus against Muslims and making them fight to win elections."

It may also be mentioned here that the grand alliance include former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, which came together with Kumar's Janata Dal (United) clearly cutting across political rivalry.

"Yadav and Kumar's rival parties came together to stop the BJP from riding Modi's popularity in the state election. This was also one of the winning factors for the grand alliance. Moreover, the alliance projected Kumar as their chief ministerial candidate while BJP projected none," Gupta said.

He added: "It's time that the BJP introspect the defeat given some state elections are due next year. First Delhi, then Bihar and now election is due in the eastern state of West Bengal. It has to course correction to win people's confidence again." Enditem