Patna:
When Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar campaigned recently in the constituency of Maharajganj, his message for voters was simple. "If you're happy with our government performance, then please vote for my candidate. Else, I'm ready to accept the message."
The answer has been equally basic. Voters rejected Mr Kumar's candidate in the by-election for the Lok Sabha seat, opting once again for the Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad.
The chief minister has to contend with these learnings: he needs to mend his fractured relationship with the BJP, with who he governs Bihar; his administration is being increasingly perceived as disinterested and corrupt; and the Muslims of Maharajganj voted largely against him.
Sources say that Mr Kumar, who is currently away from the capital of Patna on his 'sewa yatra' - he travels across Bihar to solicit feedback on his government - has indicated that as soon as he returns, he will make it clear to his party that apathy among officers will not be tolerated. District Magistrates and senior police officers are often missing from their offices, choosing instead to work from the air-conditioned comfort of their homes. And party cadres are low in morale.
National elections are months away, and Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats. The chief minister, in preparation, will reach out to engage with leaders of the state's Muslims, who make up 15% of Bihar's population, and whose support was crucial in bringing his alliance with the BJP to power, first in 2005 and then in 2010. Muslim votes also played a crucial role in 2009 parliamentary elections in the state.
The answer has been equally basic. Voters rejected Mr Kumar's candidate in the by-election for the Lok Sabha seat, opting once again for the Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD, headed by Lalu Prasad.
The chief minister has to contend with these learnings: he needs to mend his fractured relationship with the BJP, with who he governs Bihar; his administration is being increasingly perceived as disinterested and corrupt; and the Muslims of Maharajganj voted largely against him.
Sources say that Mr Kumar, who is currently away from the capital of Patna on his 'sewa yatra' - he travels across Bihar to solicit feedback on his government - has indicated that as soon as he returns, he will make it clear to his party that apathy among officers will not be tolerated. District Magistrates and senior police officers are often missing from their offices, choosing instead to work from the air-conditioned comfort of their homes. And party cadres are low in morale.
National elections are months away, and Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats. The chief minister, in preparation, will reach out to engage with leaders of the state's Muslims, who make up 15% of Bihar's population, and whose support was crucial in bringing his alliance with the BJP to power, first in 2005 and then in 2010. Muslim votes also played a crucial role in 2009 parliamentary elections in the state.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
