TURST OF THE GOOD GOVERNANCE ERA ESTABLISHED

TURST OF THE GOOD GOVERNANCE ERA ESTABLISHED

24-JULY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------July 2021 marked a significant period in Indian politics, particularly in the context of Bihar. At that time, senior Janata Dal (United) leader and seasoned politician Vashishtha Narayan Singh praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, describing him as an "experimental leader"—a rarity across the country. That statement by Vashishtha Narayan Singh was not merely praise; it was a summation of Nitish Kumar’s political and administrative journey up to that point. Back then, the reach of electricity and water to Bihar’s remote regions, the strict enforcement of prohibition, campaigns against social evils like the dowry system, the expansion of infrastructure (such as roads and healthcare facilities), and a robust law-and-order situation were considered tangible proof of the Chief Minister’s "good governance" (*Sushasan*).

At that time, Nitish Kumar’s greatest strength was his "Janata Darbar" (public grievance redressal) program. Vashishtha Narayan Singh believed that this platform had not only become synonymous with the Chief Minister’s public welfare policies but also kept the spirit of democracy alive—enabling even the most marginalized individuals to convey their concerns directly to the corridors of power. The Janata Darbar was not just a medium for resolving grievances; it was a transparent mechanism for reviewing the functioning of officials and the conduct of the administration. It was this continuous dialogue and people-centric decision-making that earned Nitish Kumar the moniker "Sushasan Babu" and secured his place at the pinnacle of power time and again.

However, the political landscape shifts rapidly over time, and in today’s context, an assessment of that period—five years ago—presents a different and challenging picture. The very "experimental leadership" once hailed as the foundation of good governance is now facing serious scrutiny. The turns Nitish Kumar’s political journey has taken in recent times have, to some extent, shaken public faith in democratic values. The constantly shifting equations of political alliances and power-sharing have created a sense of skepticism among voters.

The most discussed aspect is the current political structure, where, despite receiving a public mandate, the nature of governance underwent drastic changes. Decisions regarding coordination with the BJP and changes in his own role concerning the Chief Minister's post took even political analysts by surprise. The current situation in Bihar is such that, despite having a ‘double-engine’ government, numerous challenges have emerged on the administrative and developmental fronts. Concerns regarding the state treasury and the sluggish pace of development works have become topics of public discussion.

Questions are bound to arise regarding the ‘Janata Darbar’ (public grievance redressal forum), which was once hailed as a pillar of good governance. If the pace of development is slow and ordinary citizens are struggling to access basic services, it is a clear indication that the synergy between policy and implementation has faltered somewhere. Vashishtha Narayan Singh had once expressed hope that the Janata Darbar would sustain public faith in democratic values; however, it is natural to question the political experiments aimed at maintaining that faith under the current government.

Experimentation in politics is not a flaw; however, democracy thrives only when the focal point of leadership experiments is the aspirations of the people and the pace of development, rather than merely the balance of power. While the future remains uncertain, current circumstances make it clear that Bihar now requires concrete development—rather than political experiments—that can once again .restore confidence in that era of ‘good governance’ which Nitish Kumar had once established.