Church leaders see hope in Bihar poll results

(November 25, 2010) Church leaders in Bihar have hailed the people of the state for electing a pro-development government and rejecting the caste politics of others. A two-party coalition headed by Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (people’s front) United won 202 seats in the 243-member house in the freshly conducted elections in the State. “We are extremely happy with the tremendous developmental works” Kumar had undertaken during his earlier term, Archbishop William D’Souza of Patna said after the results were announced on November 24. Bishop Sebastian Kallupura of Buxar said the people have voted for economic growth and development and rejected caste politics that plagued the state for decades. Media reports said Kumar’s coalition fought the election on a development platform, while the opposition tried to divide people on caste and religious lines. Bishop Kallupura says Kumar’s return to power is “the best that could have happened for Bihar.” The state, one of India’s most backward regions, has seen great progress in the past five years, he added. “People are no more afraid to move out of their homes after dark, especially women,” added the prelate who had worked in Bihar villages earlier. Mary Immaculate Sister Chaya, who works in tribal areas, said Kumar’s government worked for common good. Father Joy Karayampuram, who heads the Jesuits working in Bihar, said Kumar’s greatest achievements were building infrastructure and educating women. Archbishop D’Souza expressed the hope Kumar would use the new term to check corruption in the bureaucracy and ensure proper utilization of various government developmental schemes for the poor.