Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Bihar rumblings: On political parties and the Bihar poll

Bihar rumblings: On political parties and the Bihar poll

A political churn makes the coming election an open contest

Parties and alliances, and variegated (To make varied in appearance or color) caste and interest groups, are repositioning themselves to optimise their strengths in Bihar before the Assembly election which is due later this year. After the BJP’s victory in Haryana for a third time in a row and the NDA recouping (भरपाई करना) its losses in the 2024 general election to return to power in Maharashtra, all eyes are now on Bihar. There are intra-party and inter-party dynamics at play in both poles — the NDA on the one side and the Mahagathbandhan of the RJD, the Congress and the Left on the other. On Tuesday (April 15, 2025), RJD and Congress leaders met in Delhi, with more discussions to follow. Last month, Home Minister Amit Shah paid a two-day visit to the State, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Madhubani on April 24. The BJP, which has played second fiddle (छेड़छाड़ करना) to the Janata Dal (United) for nearly two decades, is restive (अशांत, बेचैन) for the lead role. In a Freudian slip, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said at an event in Gurgaon, that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary would unfurl (फैलाना, खोलना) the “flag of victory” in the Assembly polls. This led the RJD to gleefully (खुशी से, प्रसन्नतापूर्वक) ask whether the BJP had abandoned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which in turn left the BJP scrambling to clarify matters. With his advancing age and frail health, Mr. Kumar is under scrutiny.

In the Mahagathbandhan, there is distrust. The Congress and the Left are wary that the RJD will leave seat-sharing arrangements to the last minute, giving them little room to manoeuvre (पैंतरेबाज़ी, रणनीति). In addition, the Congress has complained that it is often burdened with weak seats and later criticised for bad strike rate, citing the example of the 2020 elections where it could win only 19 seats out of the 70. The CPI(ML), which registered a stunning performance in 2020, winning 12 of the 19 seats it contested, has lamented (शोक व्यक्त करना, विलाप करना) that despite strong cadres, it is given the smaller share of the seat pie. The RJD too has its own demons to face. Since 2005 it has not been able to return to power, barring the short interludes when it allied with the JD(U) in 2015 and in 2022. Its vote share remains static and while it has repeatedly come within striking distance of power, the last mile seems far too arduous (कठिन, परिश्रमसाध्य) for it to cover. While the leading parties face challenges within and outside, there is also a wider political churn (To stir or agitate violently). On Monday (April 14, 205), Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s estranged uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, who leads one of the two factions of the erstwhile Lok Janshakti Party, cut his ties with the NDA. Political strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is struggling to find a foothold despite the bluster (धमकाना, गरजना). All told, Bihar promises to be an open contest, with many variables still in the mix.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Rumbling (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गड़गड़ाहट, हलचल
English Meaning - A deep, resonant sound.

2.Recoup (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - भरपाई करना
English Meaning - To regain or recover something lost.

3.Fiddle (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - छेड़छाड़ करना
English Meaning - To tamper with something or play casually.

4.Restive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अशांत, बेचैन
English Meaning - Unable to stay still; restless.

5.Unfurl (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - फैलाना, खोलना
English Meaning - To spread out or unfold.