Bihar Elections: Fear of Jungle Raj Overshadows Tejashwi’s Campaign

In Bihar, the election results delivered a major setback to Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD, despite aggressive campaigning and bold promises. The public, however, appeared unconvinced. Voters felt that the “promise tonic” offered by Tejashwi had no solid roadmap, there were assurances of government jobs, pensions, ₹3000 for livelihood groups, women’s empowerment schemes, and support for farmers, but no clear explanation of funding or implementation. Meanwhile, NDA relentlessly highlighted the fear of the “15-year jungle raj,” reminding voters of past lawlessness under RJD rule. Every NDA leader, from small rallies to large gatherings, hammered this narrative, creating deep voter anxiety about a possible return to instability. This fear overshadowed Tejashwi’s development pitch. Additionally, RJD’s failure to present a concrete blueprint even by the second phase of polling further damaged its credibility. As a result, the party struggled to defend even its stronghold seats, slipping into one of its worst phases once again.