As the JD(U)-led Grand Alliance ambled towards a scintillating victory in the Bihar Assembly polls, the social media threw up a whole spectrum of responses, with some equating the win as the “triumph of democracy” while few others feared that it will lead to “return of jungle raj”.
From Patna to Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga to Delhi, people took to Facebook and Twitter to express their opinions, which ranged from overwhelming support for the Lalu-Nitish combine to abject disappointment over the poor results of Modi-Shah-led BJP campaign.
“ Ek Bihari Nagpuriyon par bhari (one Bihari trounces Nagpuris),” wrote city-based Kumud Singh, with an apparent reference to the RSS.
Netizens, living in the U.S. also posted and tweeted with much glee and even gave new twist to Bihar-related stereotypes, that otherwise populate the social media.
“ Jo na kate aari se, wo kate Bihari se (Those who cant be removed by tools, need a Bihari to get the boots),” said Ajit Chauhan, a U.S.-based research professional.
References to cow, beef and Pakistan, which dominated political speeches and rallies during the keenly-fought Bihar polls, resurfaced on the media, with the twitterati targeting Modi-Shah duo.
One of the posters shared on Facebook, depicted Lalu-Nitish igniting a rocket to which Modi-Shah duo were strapped to, with the Bihari duo wishing them “Happy Diwali” while the Modi-Shah duo saying, “I’m sure this is made in Pakistan rocket.”
But, the BJP supporters were left high and dry as results showed a thumping victory for the alliance.
“ Mubarak ho...Jungle raj hua hay (congratulations, its jungle raj), said Delhi resident Surbhi Prasad.
The BJP camp had used the ‘jungle raj’ term as major bait to woo voters in their favour “and suddenly the calendar in Bihar changes to year 1995. Congrats to all the Proud Biharis,” wrote Gurgaon-based Gaurav Dikshit.
