BJP Faces Heat: ‘If Gujarat can have industries, why can’t Bihar’
PM Narendra Modi in Bihar (Image credit BJP Bihar)
As Amit Shah blames land scarcity for Bihar’s lack of industries, Prashant Kishor counters with manifesto contradictions — exposing the gap between BJP’s promises and Bihar’s economic reality.
By Manish Anand
Patna, November 3, 2025 — The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is shaping up to be unlike any before — a contest of narratives, counter-narratives, and sharp public scrutiny. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), long adept at managing media narratives during campaigns, finds itself cornered this time — not by opposition parties, but by Prashant Kishor, who has emerged as a formidable challenger to the ruling establishment’s claims.
In a recent television appearance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was asked why, after years of BJP-led governments, Bihar still struggles with unemployment and industrial stagnation. His answer — that “land acquisition in Bihar is very difficult” — quickly went viral, sparking widespread criticism.
Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor swiftly rebutted Shah’s statement, calling it “either a lie or proof that BJP’s manifesto itself is false.” He reminded voters that the BJP’s own Bihar election manifesto promises to “set up industries at every block level.” Kishor asked, “If land isn’t available, how will industries be established across blocks?”
The debate has struck a chord across Bihar, where industrial development remains minimal despite two decades of NDA rule. Critics argue that the “land scarcity” claim is hollow — pointing out that the Bihar government recently allocated hundreds of acres in Bhagalpur to the Adani Group for a power plant, reportedly for just ₹1 per acre.
Observers say the BJP’s election strategy — heavily reliant on curated media appearances and controlled questioning — may not work this time. “The top BJP leadership uses media as an amplifier to build its election narrative,” said a BJP observer, adding: “But with Kishor commanding significant media attention, that monopoly has cracked.”
Kishor’s challenge resonates beyond political rhetoric. He has raised uncomfortable questions about mass migration, lack of jobs, and Bihar’s economic neglect. “If land is unavailable, how are highways, airports, and power plants being built?” he asked during a rally. “Or is land available only for corporate giants and not for industries that can employ Bihar’s youth?”
Bihar’s industrial vacuum has driven millions to migrate to other states for work — from Gujarat and Noida to Chennai and even the Northeast. Despite being strategically located near Kolkata port and connected via rail, road, and river (through the Ganga), Bihar has failed to attract significant manufacturing investment.
Instead, the focus during elections has shifted to cash transfers and symbolic welfare schemes. “Governments talk of ₹10,000 in women’s accounts or new makhana boards, but why not talk about factories and jobs?” said a Patna-based retired IAS officer, who added that “after 20 years in power, the BJP is still promising what it failed to deliver.”
As the campaign heats up, Bihar’s voters appear more doubtful of slogans and subsidies. The question they now ask is simple: If Gujarat can have industries, why can’t Bihar?
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