New Delhi: With its internal survey suggesting that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's popularity is on a decline, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the face of its campaign for the upcoming state Assembly polls.
The BJP is currently seemingly in a dilemma, whether to support its old ally Janata Dal (United) or cave in to the Lok Janshakti Party's (LJP) demand on contesting more number of JDU seats.
With the BJP having to deal with friction within its own NDA alliance rather than countering the Opposition, BJP National President JP Nadda had recently come for a two-day visit to the state, where he instructed party workers to not just ensure the victory of BJP candidates, but all NDA candidates.
The BJP is worried about the results of its internal survey, which indicated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's popularity has dipped. The survey indicated that many factors, including anti-incumbency, are working against Nitish Kumar, which could severely hurt the BJP's chances in Bihar.
It was this that is said to have prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a massive package for Bihar, so that the BJP can focus its campaign for the elections on the NDA government's achievements at the Centre, rather than that of the Nitish Kumar government.
Pertinently, the BJP had taken an early lead with its virtual rallies for the Bihar elections. Though it wanted to step up the campaign, the rising number of COVID cases in the state and the devastating floods derailed its plans.
However, the BJP workers took the campaign to the ground at the Mandal level through COVID-related service campaigns. Though it was not openly suggested, the service campaigns were directed at promoting PM Modi and his work.
Read:LJP with NDA, ruling alliance will win Bihar elections: RK Singh
The party had formed a 90-member team comprising of the MLCs, the state president and Mandal presidents for an internal survey. The survey revealed that people's trust on Nitish Kumar had reduced, and there were serious questions about his handling of the COVID crisis and the floods.
The survey also indicated that people were unsure of whether to trust Nitish Kumar, as he had jumped alliances - from the BJP to the RJD, and finally back with the BJP.
On the basis of the findings of the survey, the BJP has seemingly changed its strategy and has decided to campaign focusing on PM Modi and the Centre's achievements. Moreover, the party also wants to cash in on sympathy votes in the name of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, as it has given former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis the responsibility to oversee its election campaign in Bihar.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission today announced that voting for Bihar assembly elections will be held in three phases -- first on October 28, second on November 3 and the third on November 7 -- while counting of all votes will take place on November 10.
BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, who is the in-charge for the poll-bound state, welcomed the EC's announcement, and expressed confidence that the NDA would retain power with a three-fourth majority.
Hussain said the people have decided to re-elect Nitish Kumar as the CM Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that the Election Commission's announcement about the elections is actually an announcement that the people of Bihar have decided to elect Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister again.
"With PM Modi's blessings, we will win over 220 seats under Nitish Kumar's leadership," he said.
"The RJD is desperate, and the Mahagathbandhan is broken. We will keep working on the path of development and form the government," he said.
Read:JDU-BJP ready for Bihar polls, not in alliance with LJP: KC Tyagi
