The political fervor around the Bihar elections is once again in full swing, with opinion polls predicting a tight race for the NDA and a notable preference for Tejashwi Yadav as the most favored Chief Ministerial face. The air is thick with promises and accusations, reflecting the complex realities of India's political landscape [https://m.economictimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-election-2025-live-updates-today-bihar-assembly-polls-result-date-time-campaign-rally-prashant-kishor-pm-modi-tejashwi-yadav-nitish-kumar-amit-shah-rahul-gandhi-nda-mahagathbandhan/liveblog/124979046.cms]. It's a testament to our vibrant democracy, but also a stark reminder of the fundamental issues that continue to challenge our society.
The Shadow of 'Jungle Raj'
What truly caught my attention amidst the electoral discourse were the controversial remarks by RJD's Khesari Lal Yadav. Campaigning in Chapra, he startlingly suggested that Lalu Yadav's period of "Jungle Raj" was preferable to Nitish Kumar's current rule. His argument? That during the "Jungle Raj," people at least "survived after paying ransom," implying that today, "human lives have no value" and the core issue is a lack of employment [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bihar-polls-rjds-khesari-yadav-defends-jungle-raj-bjp-says-mahagathbandhans-true-face-exposed/articleshow/125012024.cms]. This is a deeply unsettling perspective, to frame survival in terms of ransom, and it speaks volumes about the desperation many still feel.
Naturally, these comments drew sharp criticism. BJP leaders like Manoj Tiwari and Pawan Singh wasted no time, lambasting Khesari Lal Yadav for exposing what they called the "true face" of the Mahagathbandhan. Manoj Tiwari even pointed to Tejashwi Yadav's past "Shahabuddin zindabad" slogan as further evidence. Nitish Kumar, on his part, urged voters to choose for "Bihar's future, not family rule." This kind of political back-and-forth, often involving harsh rhetoric, is something I've reflected on before, noting how such "name-calling" can often reveal underlying anxieties and strategic positioning in elections, as I discussed in my blog, "Unfair to Mani Shankar Aiyar" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/12/unfair-to-mani-shankar-aiyar.html].
Beyond Survival: The Imperative of Dignified Livelihoods
Khesari Lal Yadav's plea for employment, stating that "If we don’t get jobs, we’ll end up seeking livelihood even in death," hits a raw nerve. It highlights a critical, existential challenge that transcends political affiliations. Years ago, I wrote about the need for systemic solutions to poverty and job creation, observing how China, for instance, embarked on massive relocation projects for poverty alleviation, creating infrastructure and, by extension, countless jobs without resorting to mere doles. I explored this in "Poverty Alleviation Chinese Way" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/03/poverty-alleviation-chinese-way.html] and "Agriculture in China" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2011/06/agriculture-in-china.html]. My concern has always been against fostering a "dependency culture" and instead advocating for solutions that empower individuals through dignified work and opportunities.
The core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. He had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and he had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, he feels a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
The current narrative in Bihar, oscillating between past "Jungle Raj" and present governance, often misses this crucial point: the people need robust, institutionalized pathways to economic stability, not a choice between precarious survival mechanisms. While PM Modi (n.modi@india.gov.in) speaks of freeing Chhattisgarh from Naxal and Maoist terror [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-updates-november-1/liveblog/125005629.cms], which implies systemic interventions against deep-rooted issues, the political discourse in Bihar seems to skirt around creating a truly enabling environment for all citizens.
I recall my "A Contrarian View" blog [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-contrarian-view.html], where I questioned the moral courage of politicians like Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi (n.modi@india.gov.in) to address fundamental issues like poverty and starvation when billions are spent elsewhere. This holds true for Bihar today. The real debate should revolve around comprehensive strategies to ensure every citizen has access to employment, education, and healthcare, rather than debating which era of "survival" was marginally better. The focus should be on building a future where such comparisons are unthinkable because dignified living is a given.
As the elections unfold, with figures like Prashant Kishor also influencing the narrative, I hope the conversation shifts towards concrete plans for job creation and sustainable development, truly addressing the aspirations of the youth and ensuring that the promise of a thriving Bihar is delivered, not just debated.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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