Dr. Binoy Shanker Prasad

The Bihar State Election Commission has restrained the Nitish government from using its video-based propaganda campaign, "Badh Chala Bihar" following a complaint lodged by the BJP.

The politics of Bihar has taken an unexpected turn with the Patna High Court staying the implementation of the letter issued by the Speaker of the House. The justices apparently wish to take a closer look at the modus operandi through which Nitish was claimed to have been declared the leader of the JD (U) legislature party.

The constitutional crisis in Bihar is clear: Nitish may have majority of the legislatures but Jitan is the CM. The CM's lack of support can be ascertained only on the floor of the house when a government business (like the budget) is defeated. Jitan rightly says in that case he will step down.

In November of 2008, I had my third visit to India in nearly 18 years and the second in less than a year. In my previous two visits, I could barely pass by Bihar; but this time around, I was able to tour the state for two weeks. In the cities of Darbhanga, my home town; Bhagalpur, my in-laws' place; and Patna, I had a chance to observe the changes over the years and talk to people randomly.

Contradictory statements are coming from the leaders of the RJD and the JD(U) with regard to the merger of the two parties. A senior JD (U) minister Ramai Ram advised the two parties to merge in order to put up a united fight against the BJP. Otherwise, he warned, Modi Express would overrun Bihar like Maharashtra and Haryana.

On Friday, October 17th, Nitish Kumar was reported to have confessed to his party “foot soldiers” that their legitimate claim to the party was ignored; their opinion was not considered important while taking any major decision. He further exhorted party youngsters to “forget and forgive” and work for the party.