Vibha sharma
Tribune news service
New Delhi, October 9
The death of ‘Dalit’ leader Ram Vilas Paswan has added another angle to the dynamics of Bihar polls, political observers say.
With the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) fighting independently this time, the general mood is that the tragedy may help the party consolidate its core votes.
A considerable number of LJP candidates are considered “proxy” BJP candidates. It remains to be seen whether the sympathy factor will be strong enough to overcome opposition against the Nitish Kumar-led government, of which the BJP is also a part. If this happens, the LJP may get votes from other castes, much to the chagrin of the Mahagathbandhan.
Leaders agree that Paswan’s death has introduced an element of uncertainty into
the already complicated survey matrix. One section also believes that voters have “become cynical” and death is unlikely to influence the “average Bihari voter, who is politically smarter than the average Indian voter.” In addition to the “death of senior leaders influences feelings,” said a senior BJP leader.
While the goodwill that Paswan gained in his political career of more than five decades is expected to rub off on his political heir Chirag Paswan (depending on his ability to make the connection), for some, his catchphrase ‘Bihar first, Bihari first ‘It is “somewhat divisive and reeks of ambition”, especially when in the last elections to the Assembly, the LJP barely managed to win two seats while his father was very present.
This is the reason why many observers say that rather than causing a real profit for the BJP or Chirag, death can greatly influence the prospects of the JD-U led by Nitish Kumar. Engaged in an open dispute with the JD-U, Chirag, in his letter to the president of the BJP, JP Nadda, accused Kumar of “insulting” his father and spoke of a “wave of discontent” against him among the voters.
Prime Minister Prez pays tribute
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan at his residence on Friday. Top BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Giriraj Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Rajnath Singh, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, also paid their last respects.
Goyal takes additional charge of the Ministry of Food
Railways Minister Piyush Goyal received the additional post from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday, a portfolio held by the late Ram Vilas Paswan. A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said that the president, on the advice of the prime minister, ordered that Goyal be assigned the ministry.
Irreparable loss
The country has lost one of the biggest Socialist and Dalit leaders in Ram Vilas Paswan. – Manmohan Singh, former PM
Paswan raised the voice of the most marginalized sections of society and left a lasting mark on politics and public service both in Bihar and in the country. – Rahul Gandhi, leader of Cong
