Bihar news
On Friday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) blew the poll bugle in Bihar. All 243 seats in the state will go to the polls in three phases (October 28, November 3 and 7), and votes will be counted on November 10.
This is the first major election being held amid a raging Covid-19 pandemic. The Election Commission has announced elaborate safety measures for both voters and polling staff.
So, what will be the deciding factors? Will it be the migrants issue? Sushant Singh Rajput's death case? The Bihar government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and floods? Caste or vikas? Will the lockdown impact the voter?
On India Today TV consulting editor Rajdeep Sardesai's show News Today at 9, on Friday night, academician and researcher Dr Manisha Priyam, BJP MP and former Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera tackled many questions including the critical one: Who has the advantage in Bihar Election 2020?
To a question, why the Bihar election is important, Dr Manisha Priyam said, "This is by far the biggest Bihar election since 1990. The BJP has a definite advantage; it's a national party. Opposition RJD's Tejashwi Yadav isn't even the 12th man against the formidable combine of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
Asked who is against Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi, Pawan Khera said the floods, the tragic handing of Covid-19 and unemployment are the issues going against the two leaders. "Only 5% of the health budget has been spent by the state in the middle of a pandemic. There is anti-incumbency against both the Bihar government and the Centre."
On the other hand, Pawan Khera accused the BJP of politicising Sushant Singh Rajput's case. "No dignity even in death. A government that's trying to take advantage of a tragedy is always a government that's failed. Do all investigations under the sun, but do not politicise."
With RJD's Lalu Yadav is in jail and his party facing infighting, there seems to be no real mahagathbandhan (that also has the Congress)? "People will vote out this government," Pawan Khera said.
Dr Manisha Priyam, however, said that there is no potential in the mahagathbandhan of the Opposition. "Unlike previous years, there is no flood scam under this government. People say this government is what it can," she said.
