The Bharatiya Janata Party has seen a significant change in its Bihar leadership. Jagat Prakash Nadda, the national president of the BJP, has appointed Dr. Dilip Jaiswal as the new president of the Bihar unit. This decision follows the underperformance of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who previously held the position.
Reasons for the Change
The shift in leadership comes in the wake of the disappointing results of the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The party secured only 12 of the 17 seats it contested, a drop from the 17 seats won in 2019. Furthermore, Choudhary struggled to attract votes from his own community for the BJP.
Choudhary, who belongs to the Kushwaha (Koeri) caste, an Other Backward Class (OBC), failed to capture the majority of his community’s votes, which largely went to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Electoral Performance and Challenges
The BJP’s loss in the Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat, a long-time NDA stronghold, was a significant setback. RJD’s Abhay Singh Kushwaha won this seat and now leads the party in the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the BJP faced losses in the Arrah, Buxar, and Sasaram seats, regions where the Kushwaha community holds substantial influence. The party also failed to support its ally, Upendra Kushwaha, in winning the Karakat seat.
Choudhary’s leadership also lacked enthusiasm among BJP cadres. Senior party leaders, including former Gaya MP Hari Manjhi, expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. Appointed as a temporary measure in March last year, Choudhary’s disappointing results have led the BJP to seek a new leader, especially as he also serves as Deputy Chief Minister.
Dilip Jaiswal’s New Role
To replace Choudhary, the BJP has chosen Dr. Dilip Jaiswal, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and the Revenue and Land Reforms Department Minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Jaiswal is expected to resign from his ministerial position to align with BJP’s regulations. His previous allegations of corruption in his department might have influenced his shift to the party leadership role.
Why Jaiswal is a Strong Choice
Jaiswal brings several advantages to the position of Bihar BJP president:
1. Long-term BJP Affiliation: Unlike Choudhary, who transitioned from RJD and JD(U) to BJP, Jaiswal has been with the BJP throughout his political career. His deep-rooted affiliation with the party includes roles such as treasurer of the Bihar BJP for 20 years and current in-charge of BJP in Sikkim. This long-standing connection with the party is expected to earn him the support of both the BJP cadre and senior leaders.
2. Regional Influence: Jaiswal is from Khagaria and has served as MLC for Purnia-Araria-Kishanganj, areas in eastern Bihar known as Seemanchal. This region has been a challenge for the BJP, which has relied on its ally JD(U) there. Jaiswal’s leadership may help strengthen the BJP’s position in this region.
3. Community Representation: Jaiswal belongs to the Vaishya caste, classified as Extremely Backward Class (EBC) in Bihar. The party has previously benefitted from the support of EBC communities, and with EBCs constituting 36 percent of Bihar’s population, Jaiswal’s appointment could help consolidate this voter base.
For the Kurmi-Koeri votes, also known as ‘Luv-Kush’ votes in Bihar, the BJP will continue to depend on its ally JD(U) due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s influence over the Kurmi community. Meanwhile, the BJP will need to develop new strategies to regain the Koeri (Kushwaha) votes that were lost to RJD.
Conclusion
With Dilip Jaiswal taking over as the Bihar BJP president, the party aims to address its recent electoral setbacks and reinforce its position in the state. Jaiswal’s deep association with the BJP, his regional connections, and community representation make him a promising choice to lead the party forward.
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