Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public address in Vikramshila, Rohtas district, Bihar, is not merely a political event but also a strategic message ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vikramshila in Bihar's Rohtas district on Friday is not just a political gathering; it's a crucial component of the strategy for the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. This visit aims to strengthen the NDA's weak link, where the alliance suffered significant defeats in the previous two elections. The Shahabad and Magadh regions, comprising a total of 55 Assembly seats, have always been a challenge for the BJP and the NDA.
Vikramshila: Why strategically important?
Vikramshila is centrally located in the Shahabad and Magadh regions. This area is politically sensitive and influenced by caste equations. PM Modi's rally is not only intended to energize NDA workers but also to directly address voters who distanced themselves from the alliance in previous elections. This is Prime Minister Modi's first Bihar visit after 'Operation Sindur,' hence, this visit is being seen not just as a political activity but as the sounding of the election bugle.
Major setback in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections
The NDA suffered heavy losses in the Shahabad and Magadh regions in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Of the 10 Lok Sabha seats the NDA lost across Bihar, 7 were from this region. Prominent seats included:
- Buxar
- Ara
- Sasaram
- Aurangabad
- Jehanabad
- Pataliputra
- Karakat
Influential figures like Union Minister R.K. Singh, Upendra Kushwaha, and Ram Kripal Yadav were also defeated, clearly indicating this region's weakness for the NDA.
Poor performance in the 2020 Assembly elections as well
The NDA did not learn from its 2019 Lok Sabha defeat in the 2020 Assembly elections. Out of the 55 Assembly seats in this region, the NDA won only 10. In several Assembly segments falling under Lok Sabha constituencies like Jehanabad, Pataliputra, Buxar, and Karakat, the NDA drew a blank. This performance favored the Mahagathbandhan, where the RJD, Congress, and Left parties secured victory with better coordination.
The message of PM Modi's rally
The Prime Minister's rally in Vikramshila aims to achieve two objectives:
Injects energy into NDA workers
Reassures the public that lessons have been learned from past defeats and preparations are solid this time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech will prominently feature development works, central government schemes, and the government's commitment to Bihar. However, political analysts believe the real goal this time is to manage regional equations.
Read Also:-
Nepal Bans Protests Near Narayanhiti Palace Museum Amidst Monarchy Restoration Demands
India's CDS Rebukes Pakistan, Emphasizes Strategic Distance at Shangri-La Dialogue
