Shiv Sena (UBT) Calls Bihar Mandate a “Scam,” Accuses ECI of Enabling NDA Win
The political storm over the Bihar election results shows no sign of calming. A day after the NDA registered a sweeping victory, the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a blistering attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI). In a strongly worded Saamana editorial, the Uddhav Thackeray–led party alleged that the mandate was “engineered” and described the election as a scam against Indian democracy.
According to the party, the BJP and the ECI worked “in tandem” to deliver a favourable result, similar to what it claims happened in Maharashtra.
A Charge of ‘Vote Theft’ and Questions Over Nitish Kumar
The editorial claimed that the Bihar verdict “did not surprise anyone” because, in its view, the BJP had already decided the formula for victory. It further argued that the opposition Mahagathbandhan never received a fair fight. While the NDA surged ahead, the Shiv Sena (UBT) insisted that the “real story” of the election lay in alleged manipulation and vote theft.
Moreover, the party questioned the role of the ECI. “If the gatekeepers of democracy assist the thieves, who will people trust?” the editorial asked.
Targeting Nitish Kumar directly, the party accused him of suffering from memory lapses and erratic behaviour. It argued that someone facing such challenges should not be leading Bihar. Even though the BJP now has two deputy chief ministers in the state, the Sena (UBT) hinted that the party may eventually attempt to take control of the JD(U) to claim the chief ministership.
Comparisons With Maharashtra and the Opposition’s Decline
The Sena (UBT) claimed that the “pattern” seen in Bihar mirrors what it believes happened in Maharashtra, where the Maha Vikas Aghadi “was not allowed to cross even 50 seats.” By drawing this parallel, the editorial suggested a broader strategy by the BJP to tilt electoral outcomes.
Furthermore, it argued that the Vote Adhikar Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav had received strong public support, implying that the final numbers did not reflect the ground mood.
Meanwhile, the NDA’s numbers tell a decisive story. The BJP improved its tally from 74 to 89, and the JD(U) nearly doubled its seats from 43 to 85. The opposition suffered a steep fall. The RJD dropped from 75 to 25, while the Congress, contesting 61 seats, won only six.
Even as the NDA celebrates a commanding majority, the Sena (UBT) insists the mandate raises more questions than answers. Its editorial frames the Bihar outcome not as a political setback for the opposition but as a symptom of a deeper institutional crisis—one that the party claims threatens the credibility of Indian democracy.
Prerna Varshney is a journalist and social commentator with over five years of experience in health, gender, and policy reporting. Her work reflects a deep commitment to truth and empathy, simplifying complex issues for everyday readers.
