Bihar: A potentially regenerative moment for Indian democracy

The regional elections came in a season of hate-mongering and the rejection of religious polarisation brought relief to millions of Indians across the nation. They feel perturbed by the rise in the levels of intolerance and by the rampaging bands of provocateurs inciting religious passions and violence.

It is inappropriate to call these Indians ‘liberals’. They are indifferent to political ideologies and can say ‘plague on both your houses’. The Modi-supporters are using the word “liberal” as a term of abuse. Behind these protesting ‘liberals’ stand the Indians representing civilisational values and a pluralistic culture. Their faith teaches them to respect all religions and question all sacred doctrines. They do not take to the streets but watch with concern the descent of a nation into a communal cauldron.

The second unusual feature of the Bihar state elections was the Prime Minister’s frenetic and aggressive participation in the campaign. Narendra Modi addressed a record number of election rallies, sidelining the state-level BJP leaders. He plunged into the battle because of his immense faith in his vote-pulling capacity. His oratory and dramatic gestures that won him the national elections 18 months ago proved to be a damp squib in Bihar. Early this year in another regional election for the Delhi state assembly, the Prime Minister failed to move the voters.

If the Bihar results are also seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is because he decided to lead the election campaign. This is not what Indian Prime Ministers normally do.

The state election results are expected to impact the national political situation in which the Prime Minister’s image has lost its lustre. His competence to boost economic growth and check inflation and corruption has come under a scanner. His approach towards the unfriendly neighbour Pakistan as well as towards the friendly neighbour Nepal has had negative consequences.

Most Indians are not impressed by his pop-star role at the light-and-sound spectacles organised for him in the US by the overseas Indian Friends of the BJP. London’s Wembley Stadium is set to witness a similar event during his coming visit to the United Kingdom.