The Bihar Election Riddle: Uddhav Sena Cries Foul, Alleges Collusion and a 'Scam'

In the murky aftermath of the Bihar Assembly elections, a familiar storm cloud has gathered on the political horizon, this time brewing from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena camp. Their ire, honestly, is palpable. And it’s not just a grumble; through the biting words of their mouthpiece, 'Saamana', the Sena has unleashed a full-frontal assault, unequivocally dubbing the entire poll outcome nothing short of a 'scam'.

What’s truly striking here, you could say, is the sheer audacity of the accusation. The Sena isn't merely questioning results; no, they're pointing fingers, alleging a rather blatant collusion between the Election Commission (EC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It’s a heavy charge, one that certainly doesn’t pull any punches, shaking the very foundations of electoral integrity as we know it.

The editorial, a fierce piece of journalism indeed, dissects the results with a skepticism that verges on outright disbelief. It ponders aloud: how did the 'Mahagathbandhan', the Grand Alliance, so convincingly surge ahead in the initial vote counting, only to see its lead inexplicably evaporate as the hours ticked by? This particular turn of events, for once, isn't being dismissed lightly. Instead, it's fueling suspicions of something far more sinister at play—perhaps even, dare we say, EVM tampering.

And the Election Commission? Well, it hasn't escaped the Sena's scathing critique either. The editorial rather bluntly questioned the EC's impartiality, highlighting a perceived double standard. It asks, almost rhetorically, why the Commission appeared so astonishingly swift to act on any complaint lodged by the BJP, yet seemed to drag its feet, or simply turn a blind eye, when other parties raised their own grievances. It's a perception, mind you, that undermines public trust, making one wonder about the fairness of the entire process.

There's also a touch of political irony not lost on the Sena. They observe, rather keenly, how Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) secured fewer seats than its coalition partner, the BJP, yet still managed to stake claim to the Chief Minister’s chair. This, to the Sena, is a curious anomaly, particularly when juxtaposed against the political theatre that unfolded in Maharashtra, where seat tallies dictated a very different narrative. The comparisons, though unspoken, hang heavy in the air.

But the criticisms don’t stop there. Saamana also pointed out, with a slight, almost knowing smirk, that while the BJP celebrated a victory of sorts in Bihar, its performance in by-elections across other states—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh—was, let’s just say, less than stellar. This stark contrast, in truth, serves as a powerful argument against the idea of a sweeping 'Modi wave' across the nation. It makes one pause, doesn't it, and really consider the narrative being spun versus the actual ground reality. Ultimately, the Uddhav Sena's message is clear: they aren't just displeased; they're convinced something fundamentally unfair, even corrupt, transpired in Bihar, and they're not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.