Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh believes the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections are fundamentally a contest of political images and public memory. In his first interview following Operation Sindoor, Singh confidently predicted a victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), possibly securing a two-thirds majority.
Singh argued that voters are weighing the past and the present before casting their ballots, a comparison that strongly favors the NDA.
The Trust Factor vs. ‘Jungle Raj’
Rajnath Singh dismissed concerns about anti-incumbency after 20 years, attributing the NDA’s expected victory to the “trust” placed in their governance model and the fear of the previous regime.
Rajnath Singh: “People compare the tenures of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar with that of the previous government. They realise that only the NDA government is capable of good governance. People trust our government.”
He emphasized that even younger voters who have not witnessed the RJD’s ‘jungle raj’ have heard about it, and the comparison with the leaders of the Mahagathbandhan (Opposition alliance) and the NDA is stark.
Focus on Development and Job Promises
Addressing the key issue of migration and the Opposition’s promise of government jobs for every family, Singh countered the criticism by stressing that industrialization is dependent on a robust law and order situation, which the NDA has delivered.
- Industrialization: He stated that the NDA manifesto stresses industrialization, including plans to create 100 MSME parks and set up an industry in every district, assuring that the pace of migration has already “come down as compared to the past.”
- Job Promise: Singh called the Mahagathbandhan’s promise of a government job for every family “impossible,” estimating that it would cost a staggering ₹12 lakh crore to fulfill.
Defence Policy: Self-Reliance and Technology Transfer
Shifting to his role as Defence Minister, Singh outlined India’s push for self-reliance in the defence sector, focusing on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing.
- Technology Transfer: He confirmed that India is in talks with countries like the US for technology transfer or joint manufacture of fighter jet engines within India, with “good progress” being made. He predicted jet engines would be manufactured in India within five to seven years.
- Border Tensions: Regarding the standoff in Eastern Ladakh, Singh confirmed that the number of deployed soldiers on both the Indian and Chinese sides has come down, and discussions between the armies are continuing to prevent escalation.
- Pakistan Nuclear Threat: When asked about reports of Pakistan preparing for a nuclear test, the Defence Minister remained unfazed, simply stating, “Whatever happens we are prepared for any eventuality.”