PATNA: Beerchand Patel Path was a scene of unbridled euphoria on Friday, resonating with the jarring symphony of victory drums following the NDA's landslide win in the state assembly elections. The results, which tipped the scales in the alliance's favour, were largely anticipated by party workers, and the BJP and JD(U) offices stood as visible markers of this triumph.
Major thoroughfares like Dak Bungalow crossing and Bailey Road were plastered with posters of Nitish Kumar. Most notably, the JD(U) office was adorned with images of Nitish and the slogans: "Tiger abhi zinda hai" and "Nitish Kumar the, hain aur rahenge".
The victory could be seen and heard from afar as one walked through the street, which was heavily guarded by police. Firecrackers illuminated the afternoon sky while the persistent sound of drums drew supporters who gathered on bikes, waving the bright orange lotus flag of the BJP. The air was thick with the energy of workers setting off firecrackers, blowing conch shells and dancing to DJ beats and the rhythm of dhol to songs praising the Nitish-Modi duo, their faces smeared with gulaal. Male and female BJP workers alike were seen joyously dancing on the streets.
Inside the BJP office, celebrations were underway with the distribution of sweets and well-wishes beginning from 11am, according to a worker. Adding a unique touch to the festivities, a worker, fully covered in silver paint and dressed as Gandhi while holding a photo of PM Modi, said he had campaigned door to door for the PM.
Speaking to TOI amid the noise, Manish Pandey, national spokesperson of the BJP, said, "The opposition tried, but failed to establish anti-incumbency in the state." Pandey credited the victory to massive infrastructural developments and social schemes, such as the cycle yojana, implemented under the NDA govt.
Vehemently stressing the party's non-discriminatory approach to governance, Pandey said, "We have never discriminated development and its reach on the basis of caste like the previous govt did, which is why we still keep on winning, because not only do the women of Bihar vote for us, but also the youth and the Yadavs and Muslims, we have gained the support of them all." While confident, he acknowledged that the victory comes with a new set of challenges, necessitating a continued commitment to winning in the years to come.
Just steps away, the JD(U) office was illuminated and vibrating with dhol beats and songs, maintaining the jubilant atmosphere. Arvind Kumar alias Chhotu Singh, a JD(U) functionary who proudly calls himself "Nitish ke Hanuman", revealed the deep confidence that preceded the win. "We were so sure of the victory that we ordered for over 900 kgs of laddus, a band party, and abir before the counting began for the day," he said.
Singh's celebration was extensive as he distributed sweets to workers at the RJD and BJP offices and symbolically fed laddoos to the CM's photo. He said, "We are celebrating Diwali, Dussehra and Holi all at once," and added that they had been distributing laddoos since 8am, intending to distribute a number equivalent to the seats won.
Manish Tiwari, a BJP worker, said, "The double-engine govt called in for more development. Over the next five years, our primary focus will be the generation of employment by increasing industry and prosperity in the state."
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