Samajwadi Party, RJD-JDU failure to create own media unlike third front parties in South Indian states

The Samajwadis [socialists] have been a political force in North India for decades.

In Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav's SP has been the main party.

But, they continue to get bad press, compared to other parties.

Dozens are killed in BJP-ruled Haryana and violence of such scale that hadn't been seen anywhere in India  but media would never call it 'Jungle Raj'.

Similar was the situation during the Patidar agitation in Gujarat. There were attacks on police stations, houses of ministers, firing led to deaths, and there was complete breakdown of law-and-order, but it was NOT TERMED JUNGLE-RAJ.

The reason is North India's Hindi press [also Hindi channels] is pro-BJP and is biased towards third parties. From mid-80s, Mulayam Singh has faced a hostile Dainik Jagran, Aaj, Amar Ujala and Swatantra Bharat.

However, he always used 'largesse', 'freebies' and other ways to keep owners and journalists of these groups in good humour. But time and again, the same groups have been uncharitable and excessively critical of his party.

These were the media groups that were soft on BJP and even supported it during the Rath Yatra. These groups created communalism and divided Indian society. Yet, Mulayam Singh Yadav and his SP never probably gave a thought to setting up their own media.

The situation is not too different in Bihar. As long as Nitish Kumar was with BJP, he was 'Sushasan Babu', but if BJP is not in the power, it will always be 'Jungle Raj', either it's Lalu or Nitish at the helm. But 'third parties' still fail to understand this?

Are they fools? Or they have no vision? How can, such 'ghaagh' politicians be so vision-less?

They support Zee TV or India TV, despite knowing that these channels will always bite the hand that feeds them, and will defame their governments.

In South India, every party has its channel. Either its DMK or AIADMK, TDP or TRS.

Even AIMIM has a big Urdu paper and a local cable TV channel. What stops the 'third parties' from doing it in North India.

They don't lack funds. The third parties haven't been able to create their internet wings either. We will talk of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) later, though it has also failed to set up its media arm.

PHOTO  COURTESY: INDIA TODAY website www.indiatoday.in

Why Yadavas are vilified, made villain so easily: Snatched power in North India, hence media sees 'Jungle Raj' in Yadav ruled UP Bihar

Why Yadavas are made villains so easily and why it is so common to talk about Yadav-raj or use words like Yadav-gardi?

Aren't there other castes, members belonging to different religions and groups, who are powerful and indulge in lawlessness!

On Facebook and social media, people easily dismiss SP or RJD rule as 'Yadav-waad' and post blatantly casteist, anti-Yadav posts.

There must be some reason! After all, why it happens that just three-four Yadavas in an office or appointment of 10% Yadavas [as per their representation] raises issues of 'Yadav-waad'.

That's the caste which changed status quo, snatched power from Upper Castes in entire North India--UP & Bihar. The Upper Castes are out of power since 1989 in UP-Bihar.

If you see it in this context, you will realise, why Yadav is the villain. Muslims were already out of power structure. The powerful Brahmin-Kshatriya-Bania and Kayastha leaders are no longer holding the reins.

But they still dominate mainstream media. Some of our 'intellectual friends' would say, 'Yadav to waise hi dabang jaati rahi hai...'.  Yes, they would say it and you can't expect anything better.

Casteism blinds us to such an extent that when all 185 persons belonging to Upper Castes are appointed in a single institution in UP, it never leads to the charge of casteism.

Your personal feelings about SP, RJD apart, they have been a power, and have changed power equilibrium in North India. Hence, they will be villains.

This is the main reason Lalu Yadav is hated by the influential section of media. And also, why it becomes 'Jungle-Raj' so easily in UP or Bihar, but Gujjar agitations in Haryana, Patidar movement in Gujarat or Vyapam killings MP will never make it 'Jungle Raj'.

Eyes on Muslim population in Bihar: Will 1.75 crore Muslims tilt the balance in 2015 Assembly election?

As the crucial election for Bihar assembly approaches, the focus is on the Muslim electorate in the state.

The question is will Bihar Muslims solidly support the Nitish Kumar-led JDU-RJD coalition.

Or will Asaduddin Owaisi's entry into the state would lead to polarisation on communal lines.

Owaisi has targeted Seemanchal, a backward region that has a huge Muslim population, for his rally.

MIM's entry has energised a section of Muslim youth. There is a chance that in Seemanchal, there will be an affect on JDU-RJD's prospects because of Majlis. The possibility is that it will not only divide Muslim but will also lead to consolidation of BJP's core vote?


Bihar has over 1.75 crore Muslims, accounting for 17% population in State

Bihar has the third highest population of Muslims in the country, after Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bengal (in numbers, not percentage). While UP has over 4 crore Muslims and Bengal has 2.45 crore Muslims.

As per 2011 census, population of  Bihar was 10.41 crore. The percentage of Muslims as per the latest census (religious figures released only a few months ago), the percentage was around 16.9 (roughly 17).

Till now, it was believed that Muslims would vote en bloc for the RJD-JDU-Congress coalition.

Hence, it was felt that their vote would not be divided unlike past when minorities' votes were divided between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal.

But, jointly, JDU-RJD-Congress have a support of over 50% electorate--at least, on paper.

It gives them the edge, as reflected in opinion polls too. However, the coming few weeks would determine if the 'secular forces' would take off or lose steam.

The BJP campaign is led by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is using his oratory and his tested skills to capture the imagination of the Biharis. A few more weeks and we will find out whom Bihar electorate hand over reins of the State.