Sunil Kumar dismissed the 1 defeat could reflect the sentiment of the entire teacher’s community.
Patna December 12, 2024: Bihar Education Minister Sunil Kumar dismissed claims of widespread teacher dissatisfaction with the Nitish Kumar government, attributing the defeat to specific circumstances rather than systemic discontent.
The statement of Sunil Kumar came after the crushing defeat of NDA candidate Abhishek Kumar Jha in the Tirhut Graduate constituency by-election. It has stirred political discussions in Bihar, particularly regarding the sentiment of teachers toward the ruling coalition.
Sunil Kumar said the party will review the defeat:
Sunil Kumar downplayed the suggestion that the loss in Tirhut was due to teacher displeasure, emphasizing that NDA had recently won all four seats in previous assembly by-elections.
“NDA has won four seats in assembly by-elections, and this single loss in MLC by-poll may not reflect a larger trend. The electoral results cannot be generalized based on one instance, and the NDA will review the reasons for this specific defeat,” Kumar said.
Teacher leader Bansidhar Brajwasi, running as an independent candidate, secured a decisive victory, maintaining a lead from the first to the last round.
His victory is seen as a challenge to the NDA, with some attributing his popularity to the fallout from actions taken by former Additional Chief Secretary KK Pathak, who had previously dismissed him.
The defeat has reportedly caused significant concern among NDA leaders, with efforts underway to analyse the underlying reasons.
It is speculated that discontent among teachers, possibly stemming from Brajwasi’s dismissal, and contributed to Jha’s poor performance, relegating the JDU candidate to fourth place.
“If the assembly by-election wins are credited to the party’s strategy or leadership. It’s inconsistent to attribute this loss to one factor, like dissatisfaction over the dismissal of Brajwasi,” Kumar said.
Broader Implications of the Defeat in Tirhut:
The defeat has sparked a debate about the government’s rapport with the teacher community, though Sunil Kumar insisted that one loss does not reflect widespread dissatisfaction.
He highlighted that electoral success ultimately depends on connecting with the public and promised a thorough review of the loss.
The political ramifications of this loss will likely influence how the NDA approaches its strategy and relationship with key voter groups, particularly educators, in future elections.
In the Tirhut Graduate MLC by-poll, JD(U) candidate Abhishek Jha’s fourth-place finish, trailing behind Jan Suraj Party and RJD, reflects significant voter disengagement or discontent with the NDA in this specific constituency.
EOM.