The article also used strong language to describe the situation, saying: “Indian democracy has fallen unconscious on the soil of Bihar.”
The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Saturday strongly attacked the Bihar election results, accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BJP of working together to ensure the NDA’s big win. In an editorial published in its newspaper Saamana, the party claimed that the results were expected because people no longer trust the election system. The article was titled “Long Live Election Commission” and criticised the ECI for allegedly helping the BJP during the polls. The editorial sharply asked: “If the watchdog of elections joins hands with thieves, who should the public trust?”
It said the current situation in the country was worrying and compared it to the Kauravas taking control in the Mahabharata, with no end in sight. Calling the Bihar mandate “a fraud against Indian democracy,” the piece claimed elections have lost their true value under the Modi-Shah leadership.
It also said that any celebrations in Delhi after the results with “drums and trumpets” should not be seen as a normal victory but as “the beginning of democracy’s funeral procession.”
The editorial continued to question the fairness of the elections, saying that the situation in the country has become worrying. However, it also said that India’s Constitution is strong enough to survive such setbacks, and that people will keep fighting to protect democracy.
It compared the Bihar results to what happened earlier in Maharashtra. The editorial noted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi expected to do better there but could not even win 50 seats. In the same way, it said Tejashwi Yadav’s Mahagathbandhan worked hard in Bihar but was still defeated badly.
According to the editorial, Tejashwi and his allies campaigned with full effort, but the ruling side still won by a huge margin. It claimed that this was not a natural outcome, but the result of unfair practices.
The article also used strong language to describe the situation, saying: “Indian democracy has fallen unconscious on the soil of Bihar.”
The editorial accused the NDA of using massive power and resources in the state, saying that the election campaign included the Prime Minister, several Chief Ministers, ministers, and leaders from many states. It also alleged that government machinery and money were used to influence the result.
The editorial also claimed that Prime Minister Modi transferred Rs. 10,000 directly into the bank accounts of lakhs of women in Bihar just before voting began. It said he kept reminding them during rallies, “I will send the next instalment soon, but you must vote for the BJP.” The editorial argued that this money influenced many voters and affected the final result.
It went on to say that the way things are now, the BJP will control Bihar while keeping a “weak Chief Minister in the chair.” The editorial hinted that the two BJP Deputy Chief Ministers, who were not promoted earlier, may now try to move up.
If they get the chance, it claimed, they would “push Nitish Kumar aside, take control of his party, and make themselves Chief Minister.”
Bihar election result
The ruling NDA scored a huge win in Bihar on Friday, completely overpowering the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The BJP increased its tally to 89 seats, compared to 74 in the last election. Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) also improved its performance, winning 85 seats instead of the 43 it had earlier.
A party or alliance needs 122 seats to form a majority in the 243-member Assembly.
Meanwhile, the opposition suffered heavy losses. The RJD fell sharply from 75 seats to just 25. The Congress did poorly as well, winning only 6 of the 61 seats it contested, down from 19 last time.
