‘No national role for Nitish’

Janata Dal (United) leader K.C. Tyagi speaks to Ananya Dasgupta on the Bihar mandate, Nitish Kumar's legacy and the road ahead.

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Q: Were you surprised by the scale of the NDA sweep?

A: Not surprised at all. We always said JD(U) would cross 80 seats on its own. In 2020, we won 43 seats because Chirag Paswan’s LJP cut into our votes in almost 40 constituencies and Upendra Kushwaha’s party also took a few more. This time, with a clear NDA front, a sympathy wave for Nitish Kumar and his track record, the result was on expected lines.

Q: What, in your view, did the Bihar voter really vote for this time?

A: Primarily for Nitish Kumar's clean image and performance. He is seen as a leader who does not indulge in moneymaking or dynasty politics. The voters saw the progress in law and order. People contrasted him with the Lalu Prasad family - wife as CM, brother-in-law in politics, two sons fighting each other, and daughters contesting Lok Sabha seats against each other. Nitish emerged from the JP and Karpoori Thakur movement that always opposed dynastic succession. That contrast was stark.

The second big factor was two decades of genuine women empowerment - not just an election-eve Rs 10,000 scheme. Fifty per cent reservation in panchayats and Nagar Palika was brought in 2006, a year in which there was no election. In 2007, 35 per cent reservation was brought in the police. Now you will see every third police personnel in Bihar is a woman.

The cycle scheme, Jeevika groups, girl education initiatives, and now direct economic support - everything added to the empowerment of women. It's about decades of empowerment initiatives, not a one-off scheme.

Q: This time female turnout was 71.6 per cent against 62.8 per cent male.