As Bihar gears up for assembly elections, political strategies are taking shape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar, combining development initiatives with a focused political approach. A key aspect of his visit is a rally in Siwan, the former domain of Shahabuddin, aiming to influence constituencies in Siwan, Saran, and Gopalganj. The primary objective is to assess whether the BJP can make inroads into the Saran division, a region where RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav holds considerable sway.
The Prime Minister’s tour spans Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. The Bihar visit is particularly crucial given the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for October-November. The NDA, led by the BJP, currently governs Bihar, and PM Modi’s focus is on sustaining their position.
During his visit to Siwan, PM Modi will be involved in the inauguration of development projects, totaling ₹5,736 crore. These projects include the launch of the Vande Bharat train between Patna and Gorakhpur. Furthermore, the foundation stone will be laid for a 500 MW battery energy storage system. Other initiatives involve water supply, sanitation, and STP projects, with an investment exceeding ₹3,000 crore. The Prime Minister will also oversee the distribution of the first installment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana and distribute keys to 6,684 urban poor families.
In a strategic move to solidify its presence in the Saran belt, the BJP plans to have PM Modi address a large public gathering in Jasouli village, Siwan. This action aims to connect with the districts of Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj. The visit marks the sixth time in nine months that the Prime Minister has visited Bihar since the NDA government returned to power. Political analysts suggest that the rally is designed to reshape the political landscape in the Saran belt, traditionally a stronghold for Lalu Yadav.
The Saran division has long been recognized as a bastion for the RJD. The BJP is determined to challenge this dominance, with PM Modi’s rally in Siwan serving as a key element of its strategy. Given Shahabuddin’s legacy in Siwan, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s influence in Chhapra, and the RJD’s dominance in Gopalganj, the BJP is facing significant challenges. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan secured victory in 16 out of 24 seats within the Saran belt. Despite these challenges, the NDA is hopeful that the Prime Minister’s visit will provide the necessary impetus.
To ensure the success of the rally, the party has mobilized NDA leaders across Siwan, Gopalganj, and Saran. Experts believe that the rally in Siwan is critical because of the electoral dynamics in the Saran division, where the Mahagathbandhan enjoys more support than the NDA. The Prime Minister’s rally is considered a crucial strategy to change the political atmosphere and gather public backing for the NDA.