Interview/Prof Guru Prakash, BJP national spokesperson and assistant professor, Patna University
What does Bihar mandate mean ?
Bihar has reasserted faith in the leadership capabilities of Nitish Kumar and PM Narendra Modi. We were fighting these elections under Nitish Kumar but with guidance of our central leaders. People had seen that last 15 years have been good on multiple social and economic indicators. Life expectancy has gone up from 65 to 69. Infrastructure has been created, and institutions have come up. People of Bihar have witnessed the transformational journey since 2005. Large number of people also had memories of 'jungleraj'.
How do you campaign in the state
The election campaign has been very constructive and positive. The political parties who used to polarise people in name of caste and community were forced to talk about performance, jobs, public health and infrastructure.
How do you see Tejashwi Yadav's rise?
The manner in which Tejashwi Yadav removed pictures of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, he has tried to disown the legacy of his parents' 15-year-rule. Tejashwi was mindful of the fact that he cannot be seen as carrying forward the legacy synonymous to misrule and criminalisation. The credit is unfairly given to him, but it was Modi's rule which brought focus on politics of performance, and report card.
BJP has done very well. Do we see a BJP CM in near future?
That may not be the case for next five years. Our leadership and party chief (JP Nadda) and PM said several times that Nitish Kumar will be CM. There is no question of change of leadership.
How do you see rise of AIMIM and Left parties in this elections?
Bihar has already given space to one with different view point. The nature of democracy is such anyone can fight.
Do you think women and EBC voters have expressed their mandate which was not reflected in exit polls?
Exit polls were a sham. All of have them were proven wrong. Silent voters like women, EBC voters were silent and not vocal when exit polls were conducted. Look who has benefited the most in JAM trinity its been the women and the EBCs. Free ration till chatth puja benefited women. The Prime Minister believes in people politics which has helped the people, so the victory is because of that.