With NDA set to form the government in Bihar yet again, the BJP came with 2 Deputy CM formula to handle the state of affairs in Bihar. This has been trial and tested strategy of BJP in the states like Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
Let’s look at how the war room strategy worked for Deputy Chief Minister designate of India’s most politically active state. Bihar has been top of Media attention since the launch of Election Election campaign in October 2020. On 10th November when the result of Bihar election was announced, result has received more attention than IPL Finale and even USA Election counting , thanks to the tight contest between NDA and Mahagadhbandhan. It ended with the victory of BJP led NDA.
The victory of NDA in Bihar election is largely attributed to its success story in Seemanchal region of the state which is largely dominated by Muslim Population. The centre piece of this place has been Katihar which represent 44% Muslim population.
In Katihar town , it was a bipolar contest between BJP Candidate Tarkishore Prasad and RJD leader Ram Prakash Mahto. A highly polarised octane campaign, strategised and planned with the latest technology and innovation made sure the 4th time MLA has edge over the rival RJD candidate Ram Prakash Mahto.
The local polls by Katihar’s local TV channel predicted a loss for the sitting MLA by over 30,000 votes. However a series of viral posts and WhatsApp messages turned the wave in Tarkishore’s favor. Some of the controversial speeches of Ram Prakash Mahto became the talk of the town in last few days before the election day which has directly attributed to an increase in vote share in BJP’s favor.
Marred with the difficulties of Covid19, the traditional door-to-door campaign ought to be hit and it was compensated by the online mode of campaign. Thanks to the campaign team 24*7 online campaign and the role of his election strategists Manoj Choudhary , Mayank Roy , Amit Jaiswal (Vicky), Bhaskar Singh & Anik Singh. Along with them , entire Bajrang Dal members had played a crucial role in executing the campaign.
Manoj Choudhary and his team had step the war room at Durgapur , Katihar who tirelessly worked to deliver the victory. Online Campaigns, short videos, slogans , facebook trends and WhatsApp Messages. Manoj’s team has strategically released speeches of Dr Ram Prakash Mahto criticising the Bajrang Dal cadre and supporting anti-CAA protests. The campaign has mobilised the entire Hindu Cadre of RSS and Bajrang who left no stone un-turned to secure the victory of this man who comes from a place which has perhaps the largest muslim population share in the country. The slogan like जो हिन्दू हित में बात करेगा वही कटिहार में राज करेगा [One who works in favour of Hindu, will rule Katihar] had become the trend of the town.
Unlike last assembly election, the election of 2020 was completely different. There was a big difference this time from the last assembly election, the election was largely limited to online debate and contest. Tarkishore Prasada’s election strategist has cleverly utilised the online platform to project him as the leader who could deliver more if elected back. In 2020, the story Tarkishore Prasad was written about the campaign and the strategy: how it was buttressed by the spin doctors at Katihar’s war room; and how the message reached masses through its election campaigners to as many as 390 polling booths area of district through mobile phones and digital platforms. This time, there is a shroud of mystery on the operations so far.
Sure, some of the team efforts have been known to local population and leaders . But the outside world was still unknown to local strategist. There were other campaigners such as Ashok Kumar Choudhary [Senior , Member of Bharatiye Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) ] and Ravi Kumar Ghosh [close associate of Tarkishore Prasad from his student days] who worked in background has influenced the victory of Tarkishore Prasad.
Together with the master strategist , Manoj Choudhary and other campaigners, they are being called as the “Prashant Kishore of Seemanchal” .
For BJP , next ride will be in West Bengal, this ride will not be more tougher than Bihar Election. BJP must on-board its Seemanchal Strategist in its future War Room for future electoral journey for penetrating into rural vote bank.
Several youth wing and senior leaders who asked not to be identified said that the BJP was lagging in earlier trends, however the online campaign gave the much needed rise in vote share and ended with the conclusive victory by over 10,000 votes.
Soon after the Bihar elections several national assignments have started pouring in to Manoj and his team including the most anticipated elections in years days Bengal.
Seemanchal has been the most backward region of Bihar, the online political campaign which Semanchal has witnessed this year can be turned into larger nation wide political exercise to reach out to rural citizens.
