Confident about West Bengal, Amit Shah keeps mum on Bihar prospects

Shah savoured various delicacies of Bihar as Union ministers and senior leaders played host

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah is confident about his party doing well in West Bengal in this Lok Sabha election. However, he was quiet about the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA’s) prospects in Bihar.

Shah is in Bihar to campaign. The state unit of the party organised a meet with the media on Sunday night. He savoured various delicacies of Bihar as Union ministers and senior leaders played host. As he finished his dinner, Business Standard approached him for a chat.

The conversation started with a question about the party’s prospects in Bihar. He, however, ducked the question. In fact, he was curious to know how the ruling alliance would perform.

“I have just arrived (in Bihar). You have travelled in the state. What do you think will happen?” the BJP president asked.

The BJP has a large cadre in Bihar. What's their response, he was asked. “You live here and talk to people. Our analysis can be biased, but you would have a fair view. Tell me, how are we doing this time?” 

The reporter tried to change the topic and asked about West Bengal and the contest the Left is throwing up this time in the neighbouring state. Suddenly his tone turned more confident. “The Left (parties) has been wiped out of West Bengal. There is only Right this time,” he said with a smile. 

At this point a few media persons and party supporters made requests for selfies. The BJP chief responded with a smile. After they left, the conversation resumed. "You are confident about West Bengal, but what about Bihar?" asked Business Standard. 

“That was my question. How many constituencies have you travelled to? What sense are you getting there?" Shah asked. Some party members at the back yelled, “28-30 se kam nahi jitenge, sir. Modimay hoga Bihar (We will not win fewer than 28-30 seats. Bihar will shine in Modi's radiance).”

Shah, however, didn't blink. "What do you think will be our performance this time?" The conversation was cut short by another hoard of BJP supporters who engulfed Shah and clicked selfies with the BJP chief. 

The NDA is fighting a tough battle with the Maha-Gathbandhan (Grand Alliance) for the 40 Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. The BJP and the Janata Dal (U) are contesting 17 seats each, whereas they have given six seats to Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party. 

On the another hand, the Rashtriya Janata Dal has joined hands with the Congress, former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustan Awami Morcha and Mumbai-based entrepreneur-turned-politician Mukesh Sahini's Vikassheel Insaan Party. 

Five parliamentary constituencies in Bihar — Hajipur, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamadhi and Madhubani — went to the polls on Monday. Voting in the remaining 16 seats will be on May 12 and May 19.

Shah on Monday attacked the Grand Alliance over issues in an election rally in Bettiah town. On the air strike in Pakistan, he said: “Only Pakistan and the offices of Rahul, Lalu and Rabri were silent after the air strike. Inke chehre ka noor chala gaya tha. Kyun bhai woh kya apke chachre-mamre bhai lagte the kya? (Why such long faces? Were they your cousins?)”