The idea of two capitals in a state is not unique in India. States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and even undivided Bihar have witnessed and functioned based on One State and Two Capital principals.  This has yielded equity in development, equal partnership in growth, and has reduced intra-state disparity.  Under Atma Nirbhar Bihar, it would be extraordinary, out of box idea in the present context to re-introduce the concept of two capitals in Bihar. Bihar’s own political and administrative history is the testimony to the success of Two Capital Principles. For a long time, Bihar has functioned based on Summer Capital [Ranchi] and Winter Capital [Patna]. 

In this article, I would like to make a strong case for two capitals in the state. BJP’s 2020 success story can be attributed to its unprecedented performance in the 3rd phase of elections in the Seemanchal region. The choice of picking Shri Tarkishore Prasad from Katihar was indeed a thank you message to the voters.  The Seemanchal region is amongst the most backward in the country, has a 47% Muslim population, and accounts for 24 assembly seats with a mere 50 % literate population. The demographic of the region have due to poor representation in state and center politics.  The backwardness in the Seemanchal can not be overcome unless the power center in the state moves from Patna to the east and more prominently in Purnia Division which comprises districts like Katihar, Kishanganj, Araria, and Purnia itself.  

Power-sharing with two capital principles will suppress the secession tendency which is getting erupted in the region. The region has witnessed the growing infiltrations from Bangladesh and has been causing great concern not just for the region but for the nation as a whole. Uncounted, unaccounted infiltrators often seem to destabilize the region impacting the integrity and sovereignty of India. The political and administrative representation in the region will be an effective tool to bring the region on the growth trajectory at par with the other regions of the state aiming to make Bihar Atma Nirbhar. 

The attributes of a good capital are its closeness to the river, a major point of connection, and a notable ancient past. Purnia lying on the Bank of Kosi, a tributary of Ganga [Katihar to be precise], a major junction for connectivity with the North East, an airport (under development). This place fulfills all the prerequisites.  The historic association from Mahabharata to Mughals makes it an idle fit. Though lagging in the human development indicators, the place might need support from the center and state government but is one of few ways to bring the region to the mainstream.

There are several other factors that are significant and are closely associated with the region and it has not been in the limelight for a long time. 

1. Geo-Political Significance: 

The Uniqueness of the region is that there 4 international borders within a radius of 300 km,  Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet [Autonomous Region of China]. This has been the key attribute of the region but India so far has not been able to leverage this geopolitical significance of the region due to backwardness in the region.  A good urbanized center in the region will not help India to improve its diplomatic ties with the neighbors but can also promote cross-border trade, people to people interaction, and the development of the region.

2. Geo-Strategic Significance 

Chicken Neck, 17 km wide corridors connecting Siliguri to the North-Eastern Region of India is a mere 100 km from the location. Doklam Conflict -2017 between India-China had happened due to the strategic importance of this region. The corridor passes between Bangladesh and Bhutan which means that the North East is connected with the mainland by a particularly thin piece of land called the Siliguri corridor. This narrow strip — which slims down to 17 km at its narrowest. 

The corridor is extremely important for India because it runs rails and roads towards the North East through it. This allows it to sustain the armed forces posted in the North East which will form an important piece of the puzzle should a conflict arise between India and China in the region. If, however, China is able to block off the corridor (and break the Chicken’s Neck, so to speak), this will isolate the North East and will cut off the supplies and reinforcements reaching that area. There is no sea route as the North East is completely land-locked. Limited provisions can reach the region if India uses only airplanes.  The development in the region will send a strong message to assertive China on India’s capability to govern the region in much better capability and any future Doklam misadventure can be avoided. 

3. Political Significance  

Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] who are currently trying to get a significant vote share in the upcoming Bengal Election,  a capital in the Seemanchal region will give a solid ground to capture the political influence in the neighboring districts in West Bengal, Particularly Malda region which has witnessed a violent political past. For a long time, BJP has struggled to establish its base in the region, the political context in the region is largely based on the communal ground. Interestingly 5 out of 24 seats of Seemanchal region have gone to an AIMIM [The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen is an Indian regional Muslim-oriented political party based in the Indian state of Telangana] justifying the need for BJP to change the momentum to development for the Election contest. 

Bihar needs a second capital urgently” for deeper integration, the prosperity of the state. This will result in the scheme of overall development. Making a new Capital in the Purnia Division would help create newer opportunities in trade, cultural exchange, securing better diplomatic ties with neighbors. While the idea is not mooted in the power circles of Delhi or even Patna, the idea is worth a discussion. Even an informal status of ‘mini capital’ if not a winter capital can help improve the socio-economic development of the region and will forever change the power equation of Bharatiya Janata Party in the Seemanchal region of Bihar and Northern Part of West Bengal.

अशोक चौधरी "प्रियदर्शी"

Ashok Kumar Choudhary is a retired banker who has wide experience in handling rural banking, agriculture and rural credit. He is also a Trade Unionist and has held a leadership position in Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, trade wing of RSS and formaly he has been the chairman of Regional Advisory Committe, DT National Board of Workers Education. He in past he hold the post of Joint State President of National Human Rights Organization.

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