Does development agenda win elections? Mayawati, architect of the social engineering politics, could not retain power in UP despite returning better than national average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. Now the development versus caste debate has got intensified post Bihar verdict. The truth is Bihar was won and lost for a variety of reasons. Nitish successfully pushed through his development plank even as he fully embraced Laloo brand of politics. Modi development model was diluted half way with communal politics taking centre-stage. Luckily Modi & Co have got the message right. Vigorous perusal of development narrative is the only way forward for India. Modi government, in less than a fortnight of Bihar drubbing, has picked up steam on reforms agenda. He must now stay course to help India reap dividends of the mandate it gave to NDA. Rest will follow.
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