Can India really afford a second election in Bihar?

Mon 6th June 2005, 1730 hrs

A classic example of power hungry politics was displayed recently when the UPA Government dissolved the Bihar Assembly in the dead of the night and ordered a second round of elections in the poverty stricken, illiteracy bound state of Bihar.

The reason: Horse Trading by the NDA when they bought out elected MLAs of the LJP (Paswan's party)

Though everyone knows that such efforts may indeed be on, there is no sure shot evidence. The Governor himself has gone on record saying that he received no concrete complaint against the so called horse trading. Then why the dissolution? The answer is simply that Lalu and Paswan could not see Bihar being run by anyone but themselves ... they probably dont want the state to see better days coz tht would mean the end of their 'rule' in the State!

Why did they dissolve the assembly in the middle of the night?
Reason: The NDA had mustered the majority and would have staked claim the next morning! Would have been too late to wait till dawn.

And even if horse trading was indeed going on is the term the right one to use. If two thirds of the elected members of your party are willing to defect for a sum of money or a seat in the new Government, it doesnt speak to well of your own party does it Mr. Paswan?

And Laluji, the most vociferous opponent of horse trading has an enviable record at the sport himself!
1990: Won over a third of BJP MLAs when the BJP withdrew support
1993: Split the 19 member JMM coz he was against the formation of Jharkhand
1995: On the eve of the polls he split the CPI(ML)
1999: Split the CPI
2002: Split the JD(U)

At the end of the day the biggest loser is going to be this country. India will hold another election in Bihar and apend crores from its coffers on another election which could well have been avoided. There has been a PIL against this in the SC, but am sure nothing will come of it. Its ironic that the man who filed this PIL is also named Shiv!

-S