 "Bihar Election Songs: Modi, ‘Jungle Raj’ & Viral Lyrics Explained")
The Sound of Politics: How Songs are Shaping the bihar Election Landscape
The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are unfolding to a unique soundtrack. It’s a battle not just of rallies adn rhetoric, but of playlists – a strategic use of music designed to sway voters, especially in a state with a deeply ingrained cultural connection to Bhojpuri and magahi songs. This isn’t a new tactic, but the intensity and coded messaging within these tracks are raising eyebrows and prompting a closer look at their potential impact.
A Rising Tide of Political Anthems
Traditionally, Indian elections have seen campaign songs, but the current wave in Bihar is different. Regional artists are crafting tracks that directly address political figures and parties, often employing provocative language and imagery.
For example, songs supporting the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are circulating widely, featuring lyrics that invoke the legacy of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Tejashwi Yadav. One popular refrain urges listeners to press the button for the “lantern” symbol – the RJD’s election emblem – and elect Tejashwi. Another song, played at a recent Dishpur event, further amplifies this message.
These aren’t isolated instances. You’ll find a plethora of songs circulating on phones and through local sound systems, each vying for attention and attempting to influence voter sentiment.
Beyond the RJD: A Chorus of Campaign Tunes
The RJD isn’t alone in leveraging the power of music. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)),Congress,and Jan Suraj Party are all utilizing songs to connect with voters. However, most of their tracks steer clear of the explicit, sometimes controversial, language found in RJD-linked songs.
Here’s a glimpse of what othre parties are offering:
* Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas): A viral song champions Chirag Paswan,echoing the tone of the RJD anthem with the line,”Chirag bhaiya ke aave de satta,utha lebau ghar se re…“
* BJP: Former MP Dinesh Lal yadav (Nirahua) promotes the ruling party with a song about a “new era of upliftment.” Singer Suraj Kumar’s track declares “Jaag utha hai UP dekho… Bihar mein ta Modi ba…” while Abhishek Singh encourages supporters to wear the party’s saffron scarves.
* JD(U): Prashant Singh praises Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in a song calling for his return to power.
* Jan Suraj Party: ritesh Pandey champions his movement with a song emphasizing the voice of the people.
The Potential impact: More Than Just Entertainment?
What affect do these songs actually have on voters? Political analysts offer several perspectives.
firstly, some believe the BJP is replicating a successful strategy from Uttar Pradesh. They suggest the party aims to evoke memories of a period of alleged lawlessness – often referred to as “jungle-raj” – to consolidate support among forward and extremely backward caste voters. This mirrors a shift in strategy during the 2022 UP campaign, where law and order became a central theme.
However, other observers argue that voters largely view these songs as entertainment. Lyrics play, crowds dance, and than life goes on. They doubt that listeners automatically translate song lyrics into political choices,given that these tracks often cross caste lines and rarely originate as official party anthems.
Consider the demographic reality. Approximately 1.75 crore of Bihar’s 7.42 crore registered voters were born between 1997 and 2012. these young voters have no direct experience of the “jungle-raj” era. Thus, the BJP’s use of fear-coded songs could be an attempt to shape their perception of a past they never knew.
A Battle for Hearts and Minds - and Ears
This election is more than just rallies and speeches. It’s a battle for the soundscape of Bihar. Songs, laden with coded identity markers, swagger, and implied threats, can subtly shift perceptions even where customary campaign messaging falls short.
The BJP hopes tracks like “bhaiya ke aave de satta mein, utha leb ghar se…“
