Something unsettling happens when a democracy begins to resemble a theatre production. The spotlight stays fixed on the performers, the script flows without interruption, and the audience is gently persuaded to believe that what unfolds before them is authentic. The Bihar election, celebrated by the ruling party as another triumphant stride in its national march, feels less like the pulse of public choice and more like a meticulously staged spectacle. As choreographed narratives, timed security scares, and institutional pliancy blend seamlessly into political strategy, the line between electoral mandate and manufactured consent grows disturbingly thin. The BJP’s sweeping victory may look decisive on paper, but its foundation rests on fear, manipulation, and methodical distortion of 

democratic norms.

To fully grasp the Bihar outcome, one must first separate reality from the frame constructed by friendly media outlets. The story being aggressively promoted is that the results reaffirm the BJP’s unstoppable national momentum, offering proof that resistance is futile and participation almost irrelevant. Yet this interpretation ignores crucial political context. Bihar has never mirrored the broader Hindi belt; its coalition dynamics are unique and historically distinct from states like Uttar Pradesh or Haryana. The NDA was already entering this election with structural advantages a wider social coalition, an 8-point vote share lead from the previous Lok Sabha polls, and a deeply entrenched outreach network among economically vulnerable groups. The final result, though dramatic in numbers, is essentially a marginal continuation of the same trend. The shock being projected is carefully manufactured, not organically derived from the electoral landscape.

© The Nation