Bihar should prepare for a surprise: Social media user drops ground report, hints at shock for jaati-obsessed netas
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Opposition parties set to meet poll body over Bihar electoral roll
Why development still lags
Historical setbacks also played a role
A post on X (formerly Twitter) has sparked fresh conversation around Bihar's changing political mood. With elections on the horizon, a user named Sanjeev Singh shared his observation after visiting villages in Vaishali and Saran. His message was simple but powerful: development can no longer be ignored as an issue in Bihar.'Those who claim that 'development' cannot be an electoral issue in Bihar should prepare for a surprise. People now have aspirations,' Singh wrote on X.Singh's point appears to be supported by data. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Development Studies showed that 68% of rural Biharis now prioritise infrastructure and job creation over identity-based politics. This suggests a clear shift in what voters expect from their leaders.Many netizens agreed with Singh, highlighting that the mindset of people is beginning to change. One user commented, 'If Bihar has to develop, the mindset of its people must change. Good to know that people are now talking about jobs, start-ups, and airports.' Another said, 'Bihar has always wanted development. The real question is whether voters will choose capable leaders, even if they don't align with their caste or religion.'A third user pointed out that development was once a focus: 'To be honest, Bihar did vote Nitish and Modi on development promises. But MPs and MLAs are either not vocal enough or not united to push for Bihar's growth.'Despite repeated efforts by the state government, Bihar has faced several challenges. These include heavy reliance on agriculture, a dense population, lack of industrialisation, and limited job creation. Migration remains high as many leave the state in search of better work opportunities. Infrastructure is still poor in many areas, and caste-based politics continues to influence elections.Experts have long pointed to the Freight Equalisation Policy, which was in place from 1952 to 1993, as a factor that hurt Bihar's growth. The policy allowed industries from other states to access Bihar's mineral resources at lower transport costs, preventing Bihar from building a strong industrial base of its own.As Bihar heads into another election season, it remains to be seen whether the call for development will finally outweigh the pull of identity politics.Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
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