New Delhi:
Though it was Lalu Yadav who had the most to lose in the Bihar election, the 67-year-old appeared typically upbeat at his house in Patna this morning, cheerfully rebuking reporters who asked if he was nervous. "Do I look like it? I had a good night's sleep. We will win."
Yesterday, Lalu, who heads the Rashtyriya Janata Dal or RJD, had predicted his alliance with Nitish Kumar would round up 190 of Bihar's 243 seats. Close. The "Grand Alliance" won 178 constituencies, far outstripping the BJP, whose campaign was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who put in nearly 30 rallies, astounding for a state election.
For Lalu, always quick with the quips, some of them rendered in a unique mix of English and Hindi, the victory is doubly sweet - not only is he on the winning side, but his party has won the most seats - 80. The icing on the cake - both his sons contested and won their first election.
It's a magnificent comeback for a man who till months ago was relegated to a bit player, but kept warning that he should not be written off. Despite his No 1 position on the Bihar Billboard, he promised that there would be no going back on his word- "Nitish Kumar is and will remain in charge of Bihar," he said, as he hugged his partner on stage.
Political analysts on television channels point out that Lalu's strength will give him tremendous clout in the new government. (
Bihar election Results: Full coverage) But leaders from the Janata Dal United or JDU insisted in interviews that Mr Kumar, 64, will be "the big boss" and that Lalu will hold "no remote control" for the new government.
Lalu served two terms as Chief Minister; when he was arrested in 1997 for corruption, he installed his wife Rabri Devi as his replacement. His leadership of Bihar was seen initially as a breakthrough for the oppressed and poor sections of a state often referred to as India's "heart of darkness", but it was lawlessness and crime - "jungle raj" - that soon became the trademarks of his regime.
In 2005, his party lost the election to Mr Kumar. In 2010, Mr Kumar, who championed development and delivered infrastructure was re-elected. Lalu's party collected its worst-ever performance, winning just 22 of 243 seats. (
Bihar Election Results: Constituencies).
It was the national election of 2014 that forced Lalu and Mr Kumar to rethink their rivalry. Between them, they won just six of Bihar's 40 seats, as the BJP, led by Narendra Modi, swept the state. To stop the BJP from riding the PM's popularity in the state election, they teamed up earlier this year; the Congress was added to their mix as a junior partner. (
Bihar election Results: Party Summary) The initial phase of collaboration creaked publicly - Lalu, with an unerring instinct for placing himself in the spotlight, was grudging about having to play wingman to Mr Kumar; but the massive turnout for the PM's rallies helped both sides overcome their differences.
Till 2013, Mr Kumar was a partner of the BJP's. Their 18-year-long alliance ended when the BJP decided to place then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the centre of its campaign for the national election. Mr Kumar opted out of the coalition led by the BJP, while Mr Modi went on to deliver a historic result for the BJP.
This campaign for Bihar saw Mr Modi taking on Mr Kumar directly- the BJP did not declare a Chief Ministerial candidate. (
Bihar election Results: Candidates)