A day after facing defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal on Saturday said that ups and downs are a part of public service, and that it would continue to raise its voice for the poor.
“Public service is an unceasing process, and an endless journey,” the party said on social media. “Ups and downs are inevitable in it. No sorrow in defeat, no arrogance in victory! The Rashtriya Janata Dal is the party of the poor, it will continue to raise their voice!”
The Rashtriya Janata Dal recorded its second-worst performance in the state Assembly elections, winning only 25 seats on Friday.
In 2020, the RJD was the single-largest party in the state in 2020 with 75 seats and a 23.5% vote share.
Meanwhile, the Congress, which also performed poorly in Bihar – winning just six seats – questioned the fairness of the election process.
Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the Congress respects “the decision of the people of Bihar” and said that the party “will continue our fight against those forces that are engaged in weakening democracy by misusing constitutional institutions”.
The polls marked the party’s second-worst performance in Bihar after 2010, when it secured just four seats.
Election results
The RJD had contested 143 seats in the 243-member Assembly as part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, which also comprised the Congress, the Vikassheel Insaan Party and three Left parties – the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – along with the newly formed Indian Inclusive Party.
The alliance could only secure 35 seats.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance won the elections with 202 seats. The BJP won 89 seats, while the JD(U) secured 85. The Lok Janshakti Party won 19 seats, the Hindustani Awam Morcha won five and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha won four.
Also read: What the Opposition got so wrong in Bihar
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that cash transfers to women ahead of the Bihar elections appeared to have contributed to the NDA’s victory, PTI reported.
“The main factor was women receiving Rs 10,000 just before the elections,” he told PTI. “From everywhere I am hearing that they (NDA) provided Rs 10,000 to women, and that’s why they got such a result.”
Pawar suggested a similar situation had also happened in Maharashtra under the “Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana”.
The NCP founder said he did not believe that the revision of voter rolls ahead of the polls in Bihar had any impact on the outcome, PTI reported.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated Nitish Kumar and the NDA on their “decisive victory”, but also praised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for his “tireless campaign”
He however added: “Election outcomes reflect welfare delivery, social and ideological coalitions, clear political messaging, and dedicated management until the last vote is polled. The leaders of the INDIA bloc are seasoned politicians capable of reading the message and planning strategically to address emerging challenges.”
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief also said that the results do not “whitewash the misdeeds and reckless actions” of the Election Commission.
Just 0.2% of readers pay for news. The others don’t care if it dies. You can help make a difference. Support independent journalism – join Scroll now.
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!