By Deepshikha Verma
New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) As Bihar heads toward a crucial, decisive election, the political climate in the state is charged with both anticipation and anxiety. JD(U) advisor and former Rajya Sabha MP K.C. Tyagi, who has been actively campaigning alongside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, believes the outcome is already written on the cards.
In an exclusive interview with UNI, Tyagi offered insights into Bihar’s evolving caste arithmetic, the emergence of new players like Prashant Kishor, and the enduring contest between development and identity in state politics.
Tyagi is unequivocal about the result. “I am absolutely certain that it will be the JD(U) government that comes to power—Nitish Kumar’s government will return,” he asserted, his confidence anchored in the chief minister’s track record.
“To understand Bihar, we need to go back 35 years—when Lalu Yadav was chief minister, and Nitish ji, Sharad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan, and all of us were together. We had high hopes in Lalu, but he turned that energy into caste politics. Nitish Kumar, in contrast, worked for the real implementation of the Mandal Commission and brought genuine progress.”
Tyagi claimed Nitish’s governance model, which focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, has transformed Bihar’s political culture. “This is a government that has delivered, and that’s why it deserves another term,” he said.
Tyagi rejects the notion that Bihar is forever trapped in caste politics. “It’s not about caste; it’s about who controls opportunity,” he argued.
Citing former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur’s 1978 reservation reforms, Tyagi emphasised Bihar’s pioneering role in social justice. “Thakur implemented a 3 per cent reservation for women and 3 per cent for the economically weaker sections, distributing quotas more equitably among the most backward groups. This model should be added to the Ninth Schedule so that Parliament cannot question its validity.”
When asked about the arrest of JD(U) leader Anant Singh, who has been charged in a murder case, Tyagi drew a stark comparison between Nitish Kumar’s rule and the so-called ‘Jungle Raj’ of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s era.
“Nitish Kumar and our party are firmly against the criminalisation of politics,” he said. “Yes, Anant Singh got a ticket from us, but today he’s in jail. That’s the difference. Under Lalu’s rule, criminals lived in the Chief Minister’s house; under Nitish, they live in jail.”
On the rise of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, Tyagi was dismissive but not hostile. “Prashant Kishor has been a friend. He’s idealistic, but idealism alone doesn’t win elections. Many of his candidates have left the field, and some of those who remain face serious criminal allegations. If his party even wins six seats, it would surprise me,” he said.
Tyagi acknowledged that Bihar continues to battle structural challenges —unemployment, weak infrastructure, and distress migration. However, he insisted that progress is visible.
“With the Centre’s support, much has changed. There are four operational airports now. Patna’s Marine Drive is more attractive than Mumbai’s.
“But Bihar was crippled by its bifurcation; cities like Jamshedpur, Ranchi, and Dhanbad, with all their industries and educational institutions, have been awarded to Jharkhand. That’s why Nitish Kumar’s demand for Special Category State status is justified,” he argued.
He pointed out that the special category status was approved; “industries set up here would get 90 per cent central subsidy, transforming the state’s prospects.”
The JD(U) government, he added, is also targeting distress migration by offering low-cost land, interest-free loans, and startup support to create over a lakh of new jobs. “Our aim is to give Biharis a reason to stay home,” he said.
Tyagi described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaigning as “positive and issue-based.” “He is an excellent star campaigner who connects with the ground realities. His presence only adds to the visibility of Bihar’s development agenda,” he said.
As for speculation that sections of JD(U) might realign with the BJP or RJD if the party underperforms, Tyagi dismissed it as deliberate misinformation.
“These rumours are being spread by the Congress and RJD. Every JD(U) worker has stood by Nitish Kumar through every high and low. Even when he was out of power and attacked, we never abandoned him,” he declared. “As long as Nitish Kumar is there, no JD(U) worker will part ways. We will sink or swim together.”
