upchunav ke maayne

Bypoll result in bihar is a warning signal to nitish kumar. Laloo-Paswan combine clinching 8 seats in bihar has shown the world that they are not the spent force. In the halla-ballo of victory over laloo more than four years ago, many political analysts didnot see the end of laloo era of politcs. They reminded that only clear cut policy and good governance could tame the shreudness of laloo yadav.
Nitish started in a right direction by focussing on the law and order front. He was more concerned on the -wild east- tag attached to bihar. Instead of acting in vengeance with the dons and mafias, he paved the way of speedy trials. And it showed the results. Criminal politicians are behind the bars. People are heaving a sigh of relief. Now shops remain opened even after 10pm in Patna.
Private companies, fearing the very name of bihar are now opening their regional offices in Patna. Many businessmen who left the state during the socalled -jungle raj- have returned. But everything is not rosy. The pace of incidents of kidnapping has slowed down but is not over. Engineers involved in mega road projects are still threatened for ransom.
Scores of MOUs have been signed but these projects are still non-starter. Ex-sugar-cane minister promised reopening of the closed sugarmills. New sugarmills were also promised. But it didnt make any headway due to the differences between the cm and the minister. Ultimetly the minister was shown the door. NAREGA has little impact in bihar. The mass exodus of working hands from the state is still a reality. The railway stations in bihar are the mute spectator of it.
Nitish instead is banking heavily on his -maha dalit- plank. He can consolidate on that count but ought to remember that the social engineering seen in the last general election in bihar had a strong focus. And it was to decimate laloos prowess. This time nitish can not bank on it. Congress is consolidating its base althoug slowly. But an option to voters is there. Caste grouping withering a bit can change tide against nitish.