Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide has become a big issue for Bihar. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow a CBI probe into the late actor’s alleged suicide is being claimed as victory by almost all political parties in Bihar. At present, this has become one of the hot topics among the people of Bihar who feel that since all three central bodies viz the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Narcotics Control Bureau are in hot pursuit of Rhea Chakraborty and her co-hoots, a conspiracy angle is set to emerge.
Still, people are waiting with bated breath for Rhea Chakraborty to be arrested. Even the electronic media is in hot pursuit of the case to unravel some sensational story, but it is yet to surface an angle except the drug angle, which saw a few arrests by the NCB.
The moot question here is whether the CBI would be able to unravel a criminal conspiracy, if any, in the days to come, or will it die down by the time Assembly Elections in Bihar gain momentum. As a Bihari, we have sympathies over this incident as we are unable to stomach the suicide theory. The role of the Maharashtra police in stopping the Bihar Police from investigating in Mumbai adds to this suspicion. An ordinary Bihari thumps up the role of the DGP of Bihar in highlighting the callous attitude of the Mumbai police, who were able to get the IPS officer quarantined. The role of Nitish Kumar (CM of Bihar ) has also been lauded as it was his government who helped late Sushant Singh’s father in the filing of a CBI enquiry.
However, it is also felt that the matter of the CBI enquiry hot up in Bihar when Shekhar Suman (Bihari actor), during his visit to Patna, expressed apprehension about the suicide theory. Sensing the mood of the common Bihari (people of the state of Bihar), other political parties also backed this proposal.
So far, the momentum of the Assembly Elections has not peaked up, as only virtual rallies by political parties, especially the BJP and JDU, have taken place as they have a large organisational base and money power at their command. Once public campaigns get momentum, each party worth their name will try to exploit Rajput’s name to garner votes. But, in my view, no single party will be able to garner votes in his name as for each Bihari, Sushant Singh Rajput was an icon and they would vote according to their conscience and caste equation.
This time, many new political parties are interested in joining the Bihar election. Among them is the Plurals (a new outfit), launched by Pushpam Priya Chaudhury. Chaudhary is trying to lure the youth in the name of Bihari pride with a development agenda. However, Chirag Paswan (LJP’s poster boy) also takes pride in claiming the slogan of ‘First Bihar Nitish Kumar’ and talking about development. Similar plank, besides others, is being advocated by the BJP, JDU, RJD, INC, Pappu Yadav-led Jan Adhikar Manch and other smaller parties.
Till now, the political arena is wide open as opposition parties, namely RJD, INC, RLSP, CPI-ML (Lib), CPM and a few others, including Yashavant Sinha (former state Finance Minister), have not been able to stitch a coordination committee, and on paper, the BJP and JDU appear on top with a strong footing. Sensing the dislike of the RJD leaders, HAM (Jitan Ram Manjhi) has changed his position. The only uncomfortable probability in this strong unity of the NDA is the LJP, as Chirag Paswan sounds different this time.
If the BJP can bring this ally again to this larger dispensation, the NDA will certainly have an edge in the election. But so far, they appear to be organisational strong. People’s mood is yet to be judged as due to the lockdown, resentment among a large number of migrant workers could tilt the favour in either side.
However, in politics, anything is possible and all political combination need to take a large population in their favour. An interesting development will surely be unfolded in the days to come.
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