Bihar at the Threshold of a New Polarisation

The first phase of elections in Bihar is over leaving at least two dozen of persons dead behind. Neither the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order in Bihar nor the Election Commission has made any claim of peaceful elections this time. Mr. Gill has put the blame on socio-political conditions and political parties. In Bihar, if the anarchist groups like MCC and PWG warn the poor people not to vote, the criminals in the fray and their gangs prevent the poor on gun-point from going to polling stations to cast their ballot. However, all these forces pitted against democracy enjoy patronage of the party in power as well as of those lying in wait, clamouring to eliminate 'jungle raj'. The other day Mr. Laloo Yadav addressing in Palamu promised to MCC people that voted to power once again, he will withdraw all the false cases against them. This has never been promised with regard to CPI(ML) activists incarcerated in patently false cases. BJP-Samata leaders have never demanded any action against MCC even though it has killed CPI(ML) cadres in the process of electioneering.

If RJD shelters Shahabuddins, BJP-Samata harbour no less deadly gangs of Satish Pandey or Sunil Pandey in their bid to attain power and establish 'rule of democracy'. All talks of free, fair and fearless polls thus prove a cry in the wilderness. Progressively lengthening list of historysheeters stepping in the fray does not get exposed with a disapproving note in the media so as to create public opinion against them and some even go to the extent of proving their winning potential. Despite all the pep talks of empowerment these days, no law of the land nor Election Commission ever bothers to reverse the process of criminalisation of politics by taking serious steps to ensure democracy by empowering the weaker sections in real terms. Even the voters' list could not be updated by enrolling genuine voters owing to a disinterested administration. Surrendering before the powerful interests, polling stations for dalits and weaker sections were not shifted to places safer and easier to reach. Party's persistent moves for these minimum reforms proved futile.

However, with the awakening and greater mobilisation of the rural poor, a new trend of democratic polarisation has taken off these days in Bihar. Polarisations on caste line, though not completely broken yet, have definitely got weakened. The phenomenon manifests itself in the definite tilt shown by the people belonging to backward castes and minorities towards CPI(ML), be it in the initial phase of elections. A determined struggle for genuine democratic reforms in Bihar can certainly accelerate the process this new polarisation.