Copyright indiatoday
On this special election broadcast, Rajdeep Sardesai analyses the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, focusing on the high-stakes battle between the NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan. According to Sardesai’s analysis, the outcome could hinge on female voters, stating, 'if women vote more than men, the NDA will be well ahead'. The discussion delves into the 121 seats polling in the first phase, where the Mahagathbandhan had a slight edge in 2020. Sardesai notes the election is 'silent' without a clear wave, pitting the NDA's welfare politics, like the recent pension hike to ₹1100 and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, against the opposition's focus on unemployment. The programme also touches upon the NDA's strategy of invoking the 'Jungle Raj' narrative, a reference recently made by Prime Minister Modi in an Araria rally, and the lack of traction for the opposition's 'vote chori' claims on the ground.
