LOW TELE-DENSITY IN BIHAR MAKES VOTER OUTREACH HARDER
PATNA/DELHI: In the first statewide election to be held after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, with strict social distancing guidelines in place, Bihar’s political parties suddenly have a new, unusual worry — the state’s low tele-density, low internet penetration, and low mass media exposure. All three pose a challenge in reaching out to prospective voters in a campaign that will rely on indirect communication and digital tools.
Tele-density — the number of telephone connections per hundred people in a given area — is the lowest in Bihar, at 59 by the end of 2019, according to data compiled by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The national average is 89. Internet penetration in Bihar is 32 subscribers per 100 people, compared to the national average of 54. Mass media exposure, too, is poor.
NEW DELHI: The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is expected to decide whether to remain a part of the alliance for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections at its state parliamentary board meeting on Monday. The Bihar elections are set to be held in October and November.
Despite being a part of the NDA at the Centre and in the state, the LJP has trained its guns at the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar; alleging that the government has failed to meet promises.
The criticism has sparked speculation that the LJP is negotiating for more seats and other post-election agreements, failing which it could exit the alliance. “There are some issues that will come up for discussion. Leaders will be given a chance to put forth their concerns,” said an LJP functionary.
LJP president Chirag Paswan, who had earlier told HT that he was against the elections amid a pandemic, could not be reached for comment.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national media co-incharge and member of legislative council from Bihar, Sanjay Mayukh, said the NDA will “jointly” contest the 243-seat assembly poll and “win with a clear majority”. “The opposition has no vision and PM Narendra Modi’s development agenda is moving ahead with full steam,” he said.
JD(U) members said the BJP’s statements are a ploy to wrangle more seats. “There is little doubt that the statements are posturing for more seats. However, the party should remember that seats will be decided on the merit of the candidate and also their performance in the last assembly election,” said a senior JDU leader.
LJP’S CRITICISM OF THE CM HAS LED TO SPECULATION THAT THE PARTY IS NEGOTIATING FOR MORE SEATS