Bihar election results a victory of democracy, says PM Modi

By_shalini oraon

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Decoding the Verdict: Why PM Modi Hailed the Bihar Election Results as a “Victory of Democracy”

In the immediate aftermath of a grueling electoral battle, the phrase “victory of democracy” is often deployed as a platitude, a generic nod to the peaceful transfer of power. However, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Bihar election results—which saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a hard-fought mandate—as a “victory of democracy,” the statement was laden with deeper political, ideological, and strategic significance. It was not merely a comment on the outcome, but a carefully framed narrative about the nature of Indian democracy itself, as envisioned by the ruling party. To understand this declaration is to unravel the multiple layers of the Bihar verdict and its implications for the nation’s political fabric.

The Backdrop: A Crucible of Caste and Governance

Bihar has long been considered India’s most complex political chessboard, a state where identity politics, primarily caste, has traditionally trumped all other considerations. For decades, elections here were won and lost on the strength of meticulously crafted social coalitions, the ‘M-Y’ (Muslim-Yadav) combine of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) being the most prominent example. The 2020 election was poised to be a classic repeat: a powerful, caste-based opposition alliance led by the RJD against an NDA combine championing a mix of caste representation and the overarching narrative of national leadership.

The results, however, defied many predictions. The NDA, against considerable anti-incumbency and a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, managed to secure a majority. For Prime Minister Modi, this was not just an electoral win; it was a validation of a new political paradigm. His proclamation of a democratic victory was, first and foremost, a claim that the people of Bihar had moved beyond the narrow confines of identity to endorse an agenda of development (vikas) and national pride.

The “Victory of Democracy” as a Triumph Over “Parivarvaad”

A central pillar of the BJP’s campaign in Bihar, and across India, is its staunch opposition to what it terms “parivarvaad” (dynastic politics) and corruption. The principal opponent, the RJD, is led by Tejashwi Yadav, the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, and embodies this very dynastic model. By framing the NDA’s victory as a victory for democracy, PM Modi was drawing a stark contrast between two opposing visions of politics.

In this narrative, “true” democracy is one where leadership is earned through merit and public service, not inherited by birthright. It is a system where policies and performance are presented to the people, who then make an informed choice. The defeat of the RJD-led alliance, despite its promise of a million jobs and a powerful social justice plank, was thus interpreted as the electorate’s conscious rejection of a politics they associate with the “jungle raj” of the 1990s—a period often invoked by the BJP to highlight lawlessness and corruption. The “victory of democracy,” in this sense, was the triumph of a perceived politics of performance over a politics of entitlement.

The Enduring Power of the Modi Factor

In a state election, local issues and leadership typically dominate. Yet, the BJP ran a campaign that was overwhelmingly centered on the national leadership of Prime Minister Modi. From his virtual rallies to the branding, the election was framed as a choice between Modi’s vision and the opposition’s chaos.

The eventual success of this strategy allowed the Prime Minister to claim that the people of Bihar had placed their faith not just in a local government, but in the stability and security of his national leadership. This, for him, is the essence of a vibrant democracy—the ability of citizens to see the interconnectedness of state and national governance and vote for a cohesive vision. The verdict was read as an endorsement of central schemes like the direct benefit transfers, the PM-KISAN income support for farmers, and the free ration provided during the lockdown. By voting for the NDA, the Bihar electorate, in Modi’s view, had validated a model of proactive, welfare-oriented governance, making it a victory for the democratic process that enables such a model.

A Mandate Forged in Adversity

The election was conducted under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. The logistical challenges of ensuring a safe and inclusive poll were immense. The very fact that the election was completed with high voter turnout, despite health concerns, was in itself a victory for the machinery of Indian democracy.

Furthermore, the NDA’s win was achieved in the face of severe economic distress. The migrant worker crisis, which saw millions of laborers from Bihar return home jobless during the national lockdown, was predicted to be a major flashpoint that would swing the election against the incumbent government. That the NDA managed to weather this storm suggested to the BJP leadership that the electorate had appreciated the government’s efforts in managing the crisis and was willing to look beyond immediate hardships. This resilience of the social contract, where voters make a nuanced choice even in times of pain, was another dimension of the democratic victory Modi alluded to.

The Opposition’s Counter-Narrative and the Road Ahead

Inevitably, the opposition and political analysts have a different interpretation. They argue that the election was far from a resounding endorsement and was, in fact, an extremely close shave for the NDA. They point to the RJD emerging as the single-largest party by seat count as evidence that the politics of social justice and economic grievance remains potent. For them, the “victory of democracy” lies in the fact that a relatively young opposition leader like Tejashwi Yadav was able to mount such a formidable challenge, signaling a healthy and competitive multi-party system where incumbents can be held to account.

This counter-narrative suggests that democracy’s victory was not the triumph of one idea over another, but the very fact of a tightly contested election that reflected the will of a deeply divided electorate.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Win

For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bihar verdict was a multifaceted affirmation. It was a victory for his personal brand of leadership, a rejection of the political style of his opponents, and a testament to the faith of the people in his government’s agenda. By calling it a “victory of democracy,” he was elevating the conversation beyond the mere arithmetic of seats.

He was positing that Indian democracy is maturing, moving from a politics of caste and community to one of collective aspiration and national purpose. Whether one agrees with this assessment or not, the statement encapsulates the core of the BJP’s political project: to redefine the very vocabulary of Indian politics. The Bihar election, therefore, will be studied not just for its outcome, but for the powerful narrative it spawned—a narrative that will undoubtedly shape the political battles to come in the world’s largest democracy.