Image for representation.
The dilemma remains that what the Congress does in Bihar is linked to what happens to its coalition government in Maharashtra.
- CNN-News18
- Last update: September 7, 2020 7:43 PM IST
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Not only has the Sushant Singh Rajput case taken over the nation, it has also taken over the minds of politicians, especially in the ballot box-linked state of Bihar, where the late actor hails from. While the BJP and JD (U) are at the forefront of the campaign, even the smallest actors in the state like Congress don’t want to be left out. So while some in Congress question the media frenzy over coverage of the case, the party is singing a different tune in the state, fearful that not playing the ‘Bihar ka beta’ card could cost it electorally.
Not surprisingly, one of the many visitors to Sushant’s family was Shaktisinh Gohil, who is the state in charge of Congress. Indeed, when the Bihar government and the Center announced the IWC investigation, the MLC Prem Chandra Mishra Congress took credit and welcomed the development.
Gohil was also quick to claim credit for the investigation. But when the local BJP unit posted posters calling for ‘justice for Sushant’, Congress was caught in a bind. He has been accusing the media and the BJP of using the Sushant case to divert attention from what he calls the ‘kushasan’ of Prime Minister Nitish Kumar. He has accused the BJP and the Center of failing to focus on serious issues such as the increase in Covid-19 cases and economic difficulties. But in a state like Bihar, where Sushant, as ‘son of the earth’, has become an electoral issue, how can Congress not join the bandwagon?
Elections in any state raise the question of the ‘son of the earth’, and it often works. In Maharashtra polls, ‘Maha for Marathis’, in Gujarat Modi ‘Gujarati asmita’, in Bengal ‘aamra Bangali’ (with BJP portrayed as outsider) are seen as winning labels. While the new generation of Bihar looks outward, state leaders now look inward. And this is what the whole ‘justice for Sushant’ thing is about.
Former union minister Shakeel Ahmad, who was suspended by Congress last year for running at the Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate, and now hopes to run for the state as the party’s candidate after the decision is reversed, said: ” We since Biharis would certainly want to know the truth about Sushant Singh Rajput. We do not want to do politics about it. ” This may very well be the official line, but for a party hanging by a thread in the state, no problem can be ignored anymore. Therefore, the sources say that as the election dates approach, Congress will also use this as a problem to show that it has feelings for the state and Sushant. Local leaders are expected to put up posters and also welcome any steps that bring the case closer to closure.
The dilemma remains that what the Congress does in Bihar is linked to what happens to its coalition government in Maharashtra. It is clear that the battle in Bihar is unfolding with an eye toward Maharashtra. The fight is now open between Shiv Sena and BJP. Actress Kangana Ranaut has become the shoulder from which the BJP shoots and attacks the Seine. The dilemma within Congress is best illustrated by her position on Shiv Sena’s verbal dispute with Kangana. Congressional Chief Spokesman Randeep Surjewala said: “We do not accept Shiv Sena’s comment on Kangana. We believe it is okay to give her assurance if there is a threat to her, although even his comments on Mumbai are unacceptable.”
Sources say that the response of the Bihar unit of Congress to the high command has been that the party has not done enough on the Sushant issue: “at a time when our party is stagnant, when Nitish-BJP seems unshakable, and the real No issues are highlighted, no issue, even the death of a star like Sushant, should not be missed. ”At the Center, Congress agreed, but asked state leaders not to cross the Lakshman Rekha. And therefore Don’t be surprised if, over the next few weeks, Congress also exploits the emotional side of the Sushant Singh Rajput case.After all, in politics, even a death can be a voting table.
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