#NDA coalition issues

[townpostin]

Dispute Arises Between BJP and AJSU Over Ichagarh Assembly Seat

Conflict between BJP and AJSU intensifies as both parties claim Ichagarh seat. BJP asserts traditional claim while AJSU announces their candidate for the upcoming elections. JAMSHEDPUR – A significant rift has emerged between the BJP and AJSU alliance over the Ichagarh Assembly seat in the Saraikela-Kharsawan district, under the Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency. On Monday, AJSU supremo Sudesh Mahto…

[graphaizesmm]

Lok Sabha Seats 2024: Visualizing Election

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are set to redefine India’s political landscape, with prominent alliances like the NDA and INDI vying for dominance. Currently, the NDA holds a considerable number of seats, yet forecasts suggest a tight race. This article explores the 2024 Lok Sabha seat statistics, offering a clear and visual representation of the shifting electoral dynamics. Through detailed infographics and data visuals, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis of how political alliances are evolving for the upcoming elections. Stay with us to grasp the intricate details and trends influencing one of the most significant elections in recent Indian history.

Busting Modi’s “400 Paar” promise

During the 2019 Indian general election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi boldly promised to achieve “400 paar” (crossing 400 seats) in the Lok Sabha elections. Despite the BJP’s good performance leading to the most voted party, they fell short of this ambitious goal, securing just 240 seats. This pledge, while showcasing the party’s confidence and aggressive campaigning strategy, ultimately was not fulfilled.

Critics argue that the “400 paar” promise was overly optimistic, possibly a strategic move to energize the party’s base and create an image of invincibility. The final results, though a clear victory for the BJP, highlighted the limitations of political forecasting and the complexities of voter behavior in a diverse and vast democracy like India. This outcome emphasized the challenges in converting campaign rhetoric into electoral reality and underscored the dynamic nature of Indian politics.

Various polls and political analyses project the NDA securing around 290-320 seats, falling short of the 400-seat mark. The INDI alliance and other political entities have made significant inroads, complicating the NDA’s path to a supermajority.

The surprising rise of the INDI Alliance

The surprising rise of the INDI Alliance has notably reshaped India’s political landscape. Formed as a coalition of opposition parties, the alliance aims to present a unified front against the BJP. The coalition includes major players like the Indian National Congress, which has seen a resurgence in influence, and the Samajwadi Party (SP), which has consolidated its regional base.

The formation of the INDI Alliance is a strategic move to pool resources and voter bases, creating a formidable challenge to the BJP’s dominance. Congress’s growth within the alliance is notable, leveraging its national presence and historical legacy to rally support. The SP, with its stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, adds significant weight to the coalition, enhancing its ability to mobilize voters.

This alliance effectively challenges the BJP by presenting a cohesive alternative, addressing key issues like economic disparity, social justice, and democratic governance. Their collaborative efforts resonate with a diverse electorate, making the upcoming elections highly competitive and unpredictable. The INDI Alliance’s rise highlights the evolving dynamics of Indian politics and the potential for coalition politics to disrupt established power structures.

No clear majority: The role of kingmakers

India’s political landscape often sees scenarios where no party secures a clear majority, leading to the emergence of kingmakers who play pivotal roles in government formation. This time BJP’s long time ally Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) helped the party in forming the government.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, the political landscape in India is more unpredictable than ever. The “400 paar” promise by Prime Minister Modi has highlighted the ambitious goals of the NDA, but current projections suggest they may fall short of this target. Meanwhile, the emergence of the INDI Alliance has introduced a new dynamic, reshaping alliances and creating a more competitive field.

[twominuts2]

Parliament Budget session LIVE updates: Contentious session expected as INDIA bloc MPs intend to demonstrate against the 'biased' Union Budget

Parliament had a tumultuous start on Wednesday as Opposition MPs staged a protest against the Budget. Members of the INDIA bloc claim that the Budget is unfair to States not governed by the BJP.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 announced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges faced by unemployed youth, small businesses, and the middle class, while also seeking to bolster the ruling NDA coalition’s relationships by supporting various investment projects in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. This Budget marks Ms. Sitharaman’s seventh consecutive Budget and the first by the BJP-led NDA government since its re-election in June.

Budget Highlights here

The BJP’s allies praised the Budget, but the Opposition was not happy, calling it an exercise in political jugglery to appease the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, the BJP’s two key allies, while doing little to address issues such as high rate of unemployment and inflation. 

[livewellnews]

Today in Politics: All Eyes on Modi Govt 3.0’s First Budget Against a Changed Political Backdrop

The political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget for 2024–25. This marks the first budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, a term characterized by a notable shift in political dynamics.

The Political Shift

Unlike Modi’s previous terms, the BJP no longer holds a majority on its own and relies heavily on its NDA allies, particularly the TDP led by N Chandrababu Naidu and the JD(U) led by Nitish Kumar. This dependency adds an intriguing layer to this year’s budget, as both allies have outlined specific demands, including special category status (SCS) and special projects for their states, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Anticipated Debates and Strategies

The three-week-long Budget session, which kicked off on Monday, promises to be contentious. This was evident during the customary all-party meeting on Sunday, where coalition politics took center stage. Allies and opposition parties alike have presented various demands, urging the government to adopt a new approach in Parliament.

Key discussions will focus on ministries of railways, education, health, MSME, and food processing in the Lok Sabha, with a 20-hour debate on the budget expected. The Rajya Sabha will have an eight-hour discussion on the Appropriation and Finance Bills and four-hour debates on four yet-to-be-identified ministries.

Opposition’s Strategy

The INDIA bloc, comprising Congress and other opposition parties, held a strategy meeting to outline their approach for the session. They plan to raise significant issues, including the NEET-UG paper leak case, the Agniveer scheme, and violence in Manipur. Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, emphasized the importance of addressing issues connected with the people during their discussions.

Telangana Assembly’s Budget Session

Meanwhile, the Telangana Assembly’s Budget session begins on Tuesday, with key issues such as crop loan waivers, unemployment, and political defections expected to dominate discussions. The Congress government, led by A Revanth Reddy, is set to present its first full budget after assuming power last December.

Supreme Court Hearing on NEET

In a related development, the Supreme Court has ordered IIT Delhi to investigate a contentious question from the NEET-UG 2024 exam, following allegations of a paper leak. The court is set to continue hearing multiple petitions on Tuesday, focusing on the extent of the alleged malpractice and its impact on the examination’s integrity.

Stay tuned as we follow these critical political developments and their implications for the country’s future.

[atomxmedia]

Prashant Kishor and Yogendra Yadav’s Contrasting Predictions for Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Renowned political analysts Prashant Kishor and Yogendra Yadav have recently offered their predictions for the outcome of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in 2024. While both analysts have provided their insights, their forecasts diverge on crucial points, adding intrigue to the electoral landscape. Here’s an in-depth look at their predictions and the implications for the political scenario:

1. Prashant Kishor’s Projections:

Kishor foresees a scenario where the BJP replicates its performance from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but falls short of crossing the 370-seat mark.

He suggests that while the BJP may not exceed 400 seats, it is unlikely to drop below the 270-seat threshold necessary to form a government independently.

Kishor’s analysis underscores the significance of alliances and coalition politics in securing a majority in the Lok Sabha.

2. Yogendra Yadav’s Forecasts:

In contrast, Yadav presents a more conservative outlook for the BJP, predicting that the party will struggle to surpass the 300-seat mark.

He emphasizes the challenges faced by the BJP in achieving its ambitious ‘400 paar’ claim, suggesting that the party’s seat tally may fall short of expectations.

Yadav’s projections highlight the potential for shifts in the political landscape, particularly in key states, which could influence the final outcome of the elections.

3. Alignment with Alliance Dynamics:

Both analysts acknowledge the importance of alliances in shaping the electoral arithmetic.

Kishor’s assessment recognizes the role of NDA allies in bolstering the BJP’s prospects, albeit within a defined seat range.

Yadav’s analysis raises the possibility of the INDIA bloc, led by the opposition, emerging as a formidable challenger to the NDA, contingent on developments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

4. Regional Insights and Seat Projections:

Yadav provides a detailed breakdown of seat projections across various regions, offering insights into potential gains and losses for the BJP.

His projections suggest nuanced dynamics in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, with implications for the BJP’s overall performance.

Additionally, Yadav anticipates significant shifts in heartland states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others, which could shape the final outcome of the elections.

5. Impact of Regional Factors:

Yadav’s analysis underscores the influence of local dynamics, including state-specific issues and political narratives, on electoral outcomes.

He highlights the potential for surprises in states like Karnataka, West Bengal, Northeastern states, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, which may defy conventional expectations.

6. Implications for the NDA and Opposition:

Kishor and Yadav’s divergent forecasts offer contrasting narratives for the BJP-led NDA and the opposition alliances.

While Kishor’s projections suggest continuity in the BJP’s dominance, albeit within defined parameters, Yadav’s analysis hints at potential vulnerabilities and opportunities for the opposition to capitalize on.

In conclusion, Prashant Kishor and Yogendra Yadav’s predictions provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of Indian politics, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties inherent in electoral forecasting. As the elections unfold, the accuracy of these projections will be closely scrutinized, shaping the narrative of India’s democratic journey.

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[internationalnewz]

In Telangana, PM Modi Shares Stage with Pawan Kalyan

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering the BJP’s presence in Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a stage with the actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday. This event was rich in symbolism as it unfolded in a state where the BJP is actively pursuing an expansion of its political footprint. In a gesture of alliance, the BJP has allotted eight electoral seats to Pawan Kalyan’s Jan Sena Party in the upcoming elections, effectively sidelining Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party.

While Pawan Kalyan’s Jan Sena Party has yet to make a significant impact in the electoral arena, the BJP is banking on his substantial fan base in the state to generate momentum. This strategic move takes place in Telangana, which has been under the rule of K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi since its inception.

Insiders from the BJP suggest that the party aims to minimize potential losses in Telangana. The party’s electoral prospects are anticipated to be negatively affected by its decision to replace Bandi Sanjay as the state chief, as well as its reluctance to take action against K. Kavitha, Mr. Rao’s daughter, in connection with an alleged liquor scam in Delhi.

In the meantime, the Congress, which has historically been a third player in the race for Telangana’s 119 seats, is expected to benefit from these political developments.

Pawan Kalyan has pledged to stand alongside Mr. Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. However, the TDP chief’s 2018 decision to exit the NDA coalition has left him without the BJP’s support, as the party has been reluctant to reconcile with him.

Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan’s ties with the BJP remain strong. During the recent meeting in Hyderabad, the Jana Sena Party leader expressed his admiration for PM Modi’s unwavering stance on national security and his ability to make decisions without solely considering electoral gains. Speaking at the rally, he emphasized that during the Telangana statehood agitation, the slogans were centered on issues like water, jobs, and funds for the state. However, he contended that once the state was formed, these promises remained unfulfilled. Pawan Kalyan cited Modi’s decisions on Article 370, the ban on triple talaq, and the construction of the Ram Mandir as evidence of the Prime Minister’s commitment to the country’s development and internal security. He praised Modi’s resolute stance against any threats to the nation, which has endeared the Prime Minister to him.

With Telangana’s elections scheduled for November 30 and the counting of votes set for December 3, this political alliance and its implications are poised to significantly impact the state’s electoral landscape. This timing coincides with vote-counting in four other states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.

[republic-world]

Opposition's No-Confidence Motion Against NDA Lacks Numbers to Succeed

The Opposition's attempt to table a no-confidence motion against the NDA government seems destined to fall flat as it lacks sufficient support. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holding an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha with 301 out of 543 seats, the NDA coalition, including all its partners, commands a total of 333 seats. In contrast, the multi-party alliance I.N.D.I.A has only 210 seats in the Lower House of Parliament.

Although the motion's chances of success are minimal, the Opposition hopes that presenting the proposal will compel Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Manipur issue during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which has witnessed significant disruptions as the Opposition demands the Prime Minister's response on the matter.

A no-confidence motion can be moved in the Lower House of Parliament with the Speaker's permission. The proposal, governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, entails that if the ruling party fails to prove its majority in the Lok Sabha following the passage of the motion, it must resign. In 2018, the Opposition had tabled a no-confidence motion against the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but it had no impact as the government retained an absolute majority in the Lower House.

The current move by the Opposition to corner the BJP over Manipur follows a gathering of 26 Opposition parties in Karnataka on July 18 to strategize for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Similarly, the Bharatiya Janata Party convened a meeting with its 38 partners in the NDA alliance.

Despite the Opposition's efforts, the no-confidence motion appears to be symbolic rather than a serious challenge to the NDA government's stability given the wide gap in the number of seats held by both sides.

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[fallingsunflower]

Cant olivia sue someone if they say anything what went on behind scenes?

Technically yes. But I think NDAs are going to get tricky with what’s going on with IATSE. It’s going to be hard if a lot of these people start speaking out publicly and accusing certain sets, studios, people, etc. of mistreatment & abuse. It could reach a point where the public will side with the coalition and workers over studios and big names, which could cause some legal issues. But these workers may not care about breaking NDAs anymore if they want real changes to happen.

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[electionsin]

Although there is uncertainty over the schedule of the upcoming Bihar election, the parties have started preparing themselves for the exercise. Mainly the Mahagathbandhan in the opposition is pointing out the adversities of the NDA coalition.

[ashokgehlotofficial]

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ji’s & other opposition leaders march outside Parliament building today is most significant as they raise their voice against murder of democracy in India by the ruling coalition.

They protested against the abrupt end to the Monsoon Session, how opposition MPs were manhandled in Rajya Sabha & how opposition was not allowed to raise people’s issues in Parliament. Under NDA, every day is a new low as they continue to undermine parliamentary democracy.

[bbcbreakingnews]

Arunachal’s 6 of 7 JD(U) MLAs join BJP, Nitish plays it down

ITANAGAR/PATNA: Just over a month after being reduced to BJP’s junior partner in Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has lost six of its seven MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh to its NDA ally. Three of the defecting MLAs had been under suspension for anti-party activities since late November. The group of six had elected one among them, Talem Taboh, as their new legislature party leader allegedly without the knowledge of the JD(U) brass. Bihar CM Nitish, who is JD (U)’s national president, sought to downplay the split, saying in Patna that it would have no bearing on his party’s relationship with BJP since their alliance was “confined to Bihar”. “They (the defectors) have gone their own way,” he said. JD(U) general secretary K C Tyagi was far more candid. “Was it necessary?” he said of the six dissident MLAs’ decision and BJP’s acceptance of them. “What has happened is against the spirit of coalition politics,”. An assembly bulletin issued in Itanagar said the defecting MLAs filed papers, as required under Rule 4 of the Members of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Grounds of Defection) Rules, 1987, before crossing over to BJP. The lone People’s Party of Arunachal legislator, too, joined the saffron party. “We have accepted the letters conveying their intention to join the party,” BJP’s Arunachal Pradesh chief B R Waghe said. BJP now has 48 MLAs in the 60-member House, while JD(U) has been left with one. Congress and the National People’s Party have four members each and three are Independents. Though JD(U) has an alliance with BJP in Bihar, the relationship between the two parties is unclear in Arunachal. Both sides have fielded candidates against each other in multiple segments and wards for the panchayat and municipal elections.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2020/12/26/arunachals-6-of-7-jdu-mlas-join-bjp-nitish-plays-it-down/

[latestbreakingnewsupdates]

Bihar results are shocking: coalition distance by 12,000 votes - 0.03 percent

Bihar results are shocking: coalition distance by 12,000 votes – 0.03 percent

Slight difference between NDA and Grand Alliance

The voters did not give clear leadership to any coalition in the three-phase elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Voters have ignored many issues that have become a topic of discussion across the country in this fight, which is entirely based on regional and individual issues. The fight against unemployment, inflation and corona is…

[pkstudiosindia]

Bihar assembly election 2020: Voting for first phase immediately; 71 seats go to polls

Bihar assembly election 2020: Voting for first phase immediately; 71 seats go to polls

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

| Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 1:09 [IST]

Patna, Oct 27: More than two crore voters in Bihar will resolve the destiny of 1,066 candidates on Wednesday throughout 71 assembly segments within the first phase of elections.

Guidelines have been issued by the Election Commission for secure conduct of the electoral train, which takes place within the midst of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. These embody reducing the cap on the utmost variety of voters for a polling sales space from 1,600 to 1,000, staggering of polling hours and postal poll facility for these aged above 80, or these troubled with or suspected to be carrying the contagion.

Bihar Elections 2020: 10 distinguished constituencies and their candidates

Besides, sanitisation of digital voting machines, carrying of masks and different protecting gear by polling personnel and availability of thermal scanner, hand sanitiser, cleaning soap and water will probably be ensured. Of the two.14 crore voters who will train their franchise, 1.01 crore are girls and 599 belong to the third gender, in accordance to information supplied by the Election Commission.

The candidates embody 952 males and 114 girls, the utmost quantity (27) being within the fray at Gaya Town and the minimal (5) at (*71*) in Banka district.

Among the key political events, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) is contesting in 35 of the 71 seats, adopted by its ally BJP (29), whereas the opposition RJD has fielded its candidates in 42 and its coalition associate Congress is within the fray in 20 assembly segments.

Lok Janshakti Party, headed by Chirag Paswan, is within the fray in 41 seats, which embody all of the 35 contested by the JD(U), in line with the decision given by the younger occasion president, who not too long ago pulled out of the NDA within the state, to “dislodge” the chief minister from energy. Prominent candidates embody Shreyasi Singh, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist shooter who’s making her debut on the age of 27 because the BJP candidate from Jamui.

Chirag Paswan, who represents Jamui Lok Sabha and insists that he stays loyal to the BJP below the management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has assured full help of his occasion to the younger debutant. Shreyasi Singh is pitted in opposition to Vijay Prakash Yadav of the RJD, the sitting MLA whose elder brother Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav is a former Union minister and a detailed aide of occasion supremo Lalu Prasad. Notably, the previous Union minister’s 28-year-old daughter Divya Prakash can be making her debut within the adjoining Tarapur constituency because the candidate of her father’s occasion.

Bihar Elections 2020: High on energy and ego, Sonia assaults Nitish Kumar govt

Six members of the state cupboard Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai), Ram Narayan Mandal (Banka), Krishnanandan Prasad Verma (Jehanabad), Jaikumar Singh (Dinara) and Santosh Kumar Nirala (Rajpur) are within the fray within the first phase. Of the six, Verma, Singh and Nirala belong to the JD(U), whereas the remaining are from the BJP.

The JD(U) ministers search to win their seats contending with the LJP issue. Moreover, Verma, who has held key portfolios like training and social welfare, faces the extra problem of wresting an RJD bastion for his occasion, having been requested to shift base from Ghosi the place the JD(U) has fielded Rahul Kumar.

Hathras Case: SC says Allahabad HC to monitor the CBI probe|Oneindia News

Kumar’s father Jagdish Sharma, disqualified upon conviction within the fodder rip-off, had previously represented the Ghosi assembly seat in addition to the Jehanabad Lok Sabha constituency. The reserved Imamganj seat in Gaya district, which falls below Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency, will see a proverbial conflict of titans.

Former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi, who’s the NDA candidate, is the sitting MLA. His bid to retain the seat is challenged by his predecessor Uday Narayan Chaudhary who had been related to the JD(U) until just a few years in the past however is now within the fray because the RJD nominee.

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[electionsin]

Although there is uncertainty over the schedule of the upcoming Bihar election, the parties have started preparing themselves for the exercise. Mainly the Mahagathbandhan in the opposition is pointing out the adversities of the NDA coalition.

[gocurrentcom]

Farmers’ Victory, Akali Dal Had To Bow Before Their Doorstep: Congress Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hailed it as a "victory" of "farmers-labourers". New Delhi: Reacting to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) quitting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the farm bills issue, the Congress on Saturday said it was the "victory" of farmers that the Akali Dal had to bow before their doorstep and break ties with the ruling coalition.

[bbcbreakingnews]

NDA hopes to ride reach of welfare packages, Modi’s appeal to score over Oppn

MUZAFFARPUR/DARBHANGA: The smooth highway coursing through Muzaffarpur into Mithilanchal is not only a gateway to a distinct cultural landscape but also a region of changed political narrative as the ruling BJP-JD(U) combine seeks to draw support from the poorest sections of society on the back of a number of welfare schemes to take on a resurgent RJD-led alliance. The Mithila region was hit hard by floods, and a large section of the extremely backward communities (EBCs), whose numbers are higher than the state average in many seats here, and scheduled castes has benefited from the relief package, including cash transfer of Rs 6000, of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led state government. And above all, it is the ‘Brand Modi’ that shines brightest in one village after another as people praise the prime minister for free ration, from April to November, and money transfer to the poor following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown. “Jiska khayengein, usika gayengein, (Will sing the tune of the one who feeds us) ” Shrawan Das, a Kahar which belongs to the EBC, says in Darbhanga town while a number of other such voters in Berua village in Gaighat constituency in Muzaffarpur reel out central government schemes that have led them to affirm their support to the ruling alliance. “The government gave us money, food and cooking gas cylinder. What else does one want,” one of them says. While there are mixed views about Nitish Kumar as people acknowledge his work and also express disappointment with his latest term at the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains a reason for their solid support to the ruling alliance. Assembly elections have often seen local issues and leadership take precedence in the mind of voters over national factors, including Modi’s leadership, but things are a tad different in this part of Bihar as the polls come against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, with people benefitting from welfare measures. Rajendra Ram, a dalit of Simri panchayat, expresses his anguish at not getting any cash transfer benefit like many other villagers but blames local government handlers for his pain. “Modi treats everyone as equal. But our society and villagers discriminate against us. I will not blame Modi for this,” he says, affirming his support to the NDA. There are, however, voices of discontent in this north-central Bihar region with the state government and Kumar. The chief minister, feted for long as a model of ‘sushasan’ (good governance), is now a source of conflictive narratives in which is he is at once a leader who has delivered a lot and is also someone who has grown disconnected with people and did not offer much in this term. “How can I say he has not worked. But he confined himself to his residence during the coronavirus crisis while we suffered. He resisted migrants’ return to home,” Asha Devi, a resident of dalit colony of Sikandarpur in Muzaffarpur, says. Kumar’s prohibition policy draws more criticism from men and women, as they complain that it has only pushed the liquor trade underground. “Afsarshahi” (bureaucratic highhandedness) is the common refrain in the criticism of the state government, especially from people linked to private enterprise, from transporters to owners of restaurants and small tea stalls. In Keoti, RJD’s senior leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui expresses confidence of prevailing upon his BJP rival Murari Mohan Jha due to “discontent” with the state government, but Sanjay Kumar, a local campaign manager of the saffron party, says the opposition grand alliance will be defeated across the region. The rainbow caste coalition that propelled the National Democratic Alliance to win in 39 of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2019 general election, may have eroded a little, but is still effective on the ground, its members say. One factor that is, however, seemingly working against the JD(U) in a number of seats is the presence of Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party candidates. LJP candidate Komal Singh, daughter of party MP Veena Devi, is drawing visible support from a section of upper castes in Gaighat, and so is Vijay Prasad Singh in Kanti. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s barnstorming across the state with more than twice and even thrice the number of daily public meetings held by Kumar has rallied the party’s traditional support base around the ‘mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance), and its leaders hope to sway a big section of EBC and dalit voters to their side to defeat the NDA. The RJD-led alliance has also reached out to other communities by giving representation to them in their list, with 33 of 70 Congress nominees belonging to the upper castes. With the RJD often tagged as a party of Yadavs and Muslims (MY), Yadav has asserted time and again it is now a party of A to Z. Polling was held in 71 out of 243 Assembly seats on October 28 in the first phase. As the state heads to the second and third phase of polls on October 3 and 7, it is these most disadvantaged sections of society who hold the key to power. For over 15 long years, a majority of them backed Kumar and then the BJP as Modi led his alliance to strong showings in Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019. Whether the old loyalties hold firm or break down will decide the fate of the NDA.

source https://bbcbreakingnews.com/2020/11/01/nda-hopes-to-ride-reach-of-welfare-packages-modis-appeal-to-score-over-oppn/