A decade ago, an image in an advertisement caused the Prime Minister of Bihar to cancel a dinner with the BJP’s top brass in a clear manifestation of his disapproval. It was an image showing Nitish Kumar with the then CM of Gujarat and the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Cut to the present, the two leaders are a version of best friends forever. In all the virtual functions to announce schemes and projects for the state linked to the surveys, PM Modi has been effusive in his praise of Bihar CM. The roads are lined with posters of the two leaders who seem comfortable in each other’s company and a willing smile is seen playing on their lips.
Prime Minister Modi’s statement that “Nitish jaisa sahyogi ho toh kuch bhi sambhav hai (Everything is possible with a partner like Nitish)” has found pride of place at the Income Tax roundabout in the city with photos of the two leaders, a slogan “Nyay ke saath tarakki, Nitish ki baat pakki (Development with justice, Nitish’s words are a guarantee) underscores the point.”
In another poster, Prime Minister Modi is seen describing Nitish Kumar as the ‘creator of modern Bihar’, with images of the two leaders on either side.
There are also posters attacking the RJD, describing the head of the RJD, Lalu Prasad, and other Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, for scams and anarchy. From a bus called ‘loot express’ with photos of the head of RJD, Lalu Prasad, Tejaswhi Prasad Yadav and Misa Bharti, the caption reads:’ Ek parvar Bihar par bhar (A family that is a burden to Bihar) to ‘Jungle raj’ and ‘Thagbandhan’, there is a lot visible on the streets.
Opponents of these happy posters have also emerged, showing PM Modi’s earlier quotes questioning Nitish Kumar’s DNA. Another says: “Modiji, the mandate of the people was for your party to sit in Opposition. How then could he come to power? “Nitish jaisa sahyogi ho kuch bhi sambhav hai (Anything is possible with a partner like Nitish),” he says.
It is not known or openly accepted who is preparing the posters, but the message clearly manifests the division between the National Democratic Alliance and the Grand Alliance. Some also attribute it to internal division.
Before the BJP “virtual rally” led by Interior Minister Amit Shah, Patna had witnessed a cartel war. Image of Lalu Prasad flanked by Md Shahabuddin and Raj Ballabh Yadav, all serving prison sentences, with the motto ‘Kaidi bajaa raha taali, Janata bajao taali’. It was a response to RJD’s call to oppose BJP’s virtual rally by hitting the utensils, although JD (U) feigned ignorance about it.
Last year in December, when Kumar left for his third stage of the ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ yatra to Kaimur, Gaya and Aurangabad, the Patna district administration was busy removing posters attacking him for his stance on the Law of Citizenship Amendment (CAA). It could not be determined who had these posters put up in important places, as opposition parties such as the RJD and Congress denied having knowledge of it.
Political analyst NK Choudhary said that the fight could only become more poisonous through banners and posters in the coming days, as this election would not provide opportunities for rallies and public gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Digital campaigns sound good, but everyone knows the real digital penetration and people’s choice to spend time with them when struggling with their daily needs,” he added.
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