'Bipasa' goes missing from Bihar poll scene as job takes centre-stage

PATNA: ‘ Bipasa ’ which dominated every election until recently has surprisingly vanished from the Bihar poll scene with more serious issues of unemployment , health and education taking centre stage this time. Scores of youths who joined the poll process in the five Lok Sabha constituencies of the state on Tuesday spoke frankly about what they want from the leaders.

What the people mean by ‘ Bipasa’ is Bijli (electricity)-Pani (water)-Sadak (roads)—the issues which have almost been settled in the state now. Not only is power available in every home in every part of the state, the people also have access to tapped water, solving the decades-old issue of drinking water crisis.

Road connectivity too has improved drastically in the past 17 years of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA/Grand Alliance governments, much to the satisfaction of the common man as they can now reach Patna, the state capital, within five-six hours from every part of the state.

“I have voted in the past and am again waiting for my turn to cast vote but I am sorry to say the issues of unemployment, health and education are something which need to paid more attention,” said Sudhir Kumar of Khagaria adding the issue of joblessness has turned grave with increase in population. Although he expressed satisfaction over the government’s initiatives to improve the situation in schools but said the quality of education remains far from satisfactory.

Another youth Avadhesh Kumar expressed concern over “shrinking government jobs” saying this is the issue which needs to be given proper attention than anything else. “I am joining the poll process but certainly not happy with the actions of politicians,” he said.

Vinod Sahni, a resident of Alauli block, said the government must pay attention to improving the condition of government hospitals. “The speed of development is very slow here. Especially the health situation in shambles as we have to rush to Khagaria in case of emergency,” Sahni said.

Meena Devi is also annoyed over poor health facilities. “Road conditions have improved but the health condition is very bad. In case of a health emergency, we have no option other than rushing to Khagaria to seek medical attention,” she said.

Imran Raza of Madhepura who was happy to cast his vote for the first time says they all want jobs. “ Berozgari bahut hai, sabko Rozgar milna chahiye,” Imran said.

A total of five Lok Sabha constituencies such as Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Khagaria went to polling on Tuesday, where an estimated 60 per cent voters cast their votes—which is 1.22 per cent less than the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.