Nitish is fast losing credibility among Muslims & Dalits

Seven years ago, in 2010, when Narendra Modi’s name first started doing the rounds as the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP, the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, cancelled a dinner organised for BJP leaders in Patna.

Modi was expected to join him at the dinner organised by the Bihar government but Nitish called it off, leaving the BJP and Modi red-faced.

“Such was his antipathy to Modi that he did not even want to be seen with him in the same frame. The message was clear and loud that he wanted to project himself as a leader with secular credentials, a leader that cares for Muslims and other minorities. Nobody could have imagined that he would abandon the politics of secularism, and would pursue the politics of an anti-corruption movement,” said socialist veteran Shivanand Tiwari in a candid conversation with National Herald in Patna.

What Tiwari said as an anecdote is a matter of serious socio-political concern for many in the state capital of Bihar. Those who know the nature of the politics in Bihar can easily understand that how Kumar pursuing anti-corruption politics (aimed at removing Tejashwi Yadav from the cabinet) has damaged the very cause of secular politics.

“At a time when Muslims are being lynched and murdered, his politics should have been to strengthen the secular forces. But he chose an issue which reflects the concerns of the typical middle class. Naturally, those who voted for him would be disappointed,” commented a Patna watcher.

If sources are to believed, not only voters but leaders coming from Muslim, OBC and most backward communities in JD(U) are disappointed. They feel their “politics is in danger” as they are not comfortable with the kind of issues that Nitish Kumar has taken up.

A highly placed source told National Herald that the uneasiness within the JD(U) camp was felt recently when in a closed door meeting of party legislators in Rajgir, some of the upper caste leaders demanded snapping of ties with the RJD while Muslim and other leaders coming from backward castes either preferred to remain silent or conveyed their displeasure privately.

A senior-most leader and Muslim face of the JD(U) accepted that a sense of helplessness does prevail among JD(U) ranks.

“Sadly, Muslims cannot do anything. Indeed, Muslims of Bihar would feel disappointed and abandoned if the alliance is called off due to an issue of zero importance. They have voted for the Hindu candidates fielded by JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance in the hope for a secular, pro-development government in Bihar,” he added on the condition of anonymity.

It is not that cognizance of growing disbelief among JD(U) ranks is not taken seriously at the top level but nobody has the courage to oppose Nitish. Political analysts feel that deserting Muslims may prove fatal for Nitish’s political future.

“If he does not pay the heed, he will have to pay the price. After the Tejashwi Yadav episode, Muslims’ faith on him has reduced. Who remains the CM or Deputy CM is not their concern. BJP should not come to power. This is what they want,” said a Muslim social activist.

It is worth recalling that most backward Muslim communities known as Dalit Muslims or Pasmanda had supported Nitish in election after election since 2005. Combining non-Yadav OBC castes with Pasmanda, Nitish has formed a winning combination of the downtrodden in Bihar that was supported by upper castes as well.

Importance of the Pasmandas in Kumar’s success story can be understood by the fact that Pasmandas who make up 80 per cent of the total Muslim population (according to the 2011 Census, Muslims constitute 17 per cent of the total population) of Bihar, voted for him even during the time when he had an alliance with the BJP.

A retired journalist who is now heading a research institute of social sciences in Patna told National Herald that Kumar choreographed a unique political experiment in the history of Bihar in which he was supported by both forward and backward castes.

“Though BJP was also a factor, his voter base comprised Pasmandas and OBC and backward castes such as Kurmis, Koeris, Kushwahas and Dhobis. Now there is an apprehension among JD(U) leaders that this loyal block of voters will erode if the alliance is called off,” he added.

Not only Muslims but leaders from Kushwaha, Koeri, Dhobi, Jadhav and other backward communities have expressed their displeasure over the “kind of politics Nitish babu is doing.”

Referring to the Shyam Rajak case, a JD(U) leader refused to meet this correspondent. One of his associates said that the “displeasure” in the party may or may not convert in to defection. “All depends on the situation,” he said.

A vocal JD(U) leader from Dhobi community and former minister Shyam Rajak was recently caught on a hidden camera lambasting Nitish Kumar. In a sting operation done by a Delhi-based news channel, he was seen criticising Kumar as an “unprincipled and opportunist leader”. He said the grand alliance will remain intact.

What Shyam Rajak said in front of the hidden camera is the best example to substantiate the dilemma of the JD(U). Given a chance, perhaps, many of Kumar’s comrades would speak in favour of the alliance but they would also speak against his new-found political mantra of zero tolerance on corruption.