BJP Strategic Maneuvering in Bihar Elections: Removing LJP from NDA
Understanding the Context of the Bihar Election 2020
The 2020 Bihar elections presented a complex political landscape where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strategically positioned itself to neutralize its competitors. One of the most intriguing maneuvers was the decision to remove the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This move was not about disbanding from the alliance but rather a tactical move to ensure a victory for the BJP over its key opponent, Nitish Kumar.
To Defeat Nitish Kumar: The BJP’s Strategic Reasoning
The decision to remove LJP from the NDA and have them contest separately was primarily driven by the strategic intent to neutralize the influence of Nitish Kumar in the elections. By ensuring LJP fights alone, the BJP aimed to maintain control over these seats, thus reducing Nitish Kumar's potential to gain more seats.
Had LJP allied with the NDA, many argue that it could have provided Nitish Kumar with a significant boost, making him a more formidable opponent. The BJP, therefore, targeted this potential alliance to prevent such an outcome and ensure its own victory.
The Contingency Plan: A Tripartite Electoral Strategy
The BJP's strategy was devised with a contingency plan in mind. On one side, they made a deal with the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) to field their candidates in 50 seats, while on the other, they instigated LJP to contest against the JD(U) candidates in the remaining seats. This two-pronged approach was aimed at weakening Nitish Kumar's stronghold and minimizing his prospects of gaining more support.
By damaging JD(U) in these seats, the BJP intended to position itself as the larger and stronger partner in the upcoming elections in 2021. This was a calculated move to ensure that any upcoming alliance would be more beneficial to the BJP, given their historical strategy of neutralizing friends-turned-rivals.
The Impact on the Election Landscape
The BJP’s actions have had a significant impact on the election landscape, particularly in its aim to curb the influence of Nitish Kumar. This strategy has presented a fresh hope to the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) led alliance, which now feels more organized and structured. With the addition of Congress and Left parties, the RJD is better positioned to challenge the BJP.
Moreover, the BJP's decision has not only impacted the short-term elections but has also set a precedent on how they might act in future elections. This strategy of neutralizing key regional parties and weakening their influence is a common tactic employed by the BJP in states where they have significant political maneuvering to do.
In conclusion, the BJP’s decision to remove LJP from the NDA in the 2020 Bihar elections was a strategic move aimed at ensuring its own victory and weakening the influence of its key opponent. This move underscores the intricate and strategic nature of Indian politics, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences.