From USA to USB: Dance of Democracy and Discourses in Media

 

When it’s action time in the USA, can ‘USB’ (United States of Bihar) be far behind? At least, not so this time of democratic elections held recently thereto elect their respective head of state. Post-polling, while America struggled to officially declare its next president, Bihar has taken lead to place a leader in the temple of democracy.  So, ‘B’ has left ‘A’ behind when it comes to political functioning and democratic dividends. Except in English alphabet, USB has been ahead of USA at least in some respects. Historically speaking, democracy has been in place in Bihar during ancient times also, as it is considered to be the birth place of the one of the oldest republics in the world.The concept of USB originates in ancient times. As per AngutaraNikaya, a Buddhist scripture, there were 16 Mahajanpadas (great kingdoms / republics) in the 6^th century BC during the Vedic Age in northern India with the oldest being the Lichhavis in modern Champaran of Gandhi’s fame. On the other hand, the USA is the world’s oldest democracy in modern era.

Both America and Bihar have been trendsetters in their respective sphere of influence as well as in theirpolitical landscape. While the great democratic game being played there, the 4^th Pillar seized the mega opportunities in the temples of democracies and went gaga to paint the town red. It was perfect time and setting for the global media to prove its mettle. And they did so while going out with full vigour and vitality to analyse, report and debate on the issues of concern to the masses and classes. However, media in both places failed and fooled by their predictions. Coincidently, both USA and USB witnessed a very closely fought elections with political pendulum swinging from one pole to the other, even though media had predicted win for the Opposition parties in both places.

With voters turning out in record numbers to cast their ballots despite the Covid-19 pandemic, media was all praise for them. Be it national, regional and even international media, everywhere political discourses, public debates, ground reports, talk shows among others became the norms of the day.Media discourses revolved around unemployment, role of women and millennial, corona, corruption, economic slowdown, racism, etc. Mindful of the political pressures and commercial interests, frenzied media tied up with poll pundits for pre-polls and exit polls, as if it were a referendum on the governments there.

In America, while media had the audacity to stop telecasting President Trump’s speeches whenever they considered it far from facts.In spite of all the media discourses, Joe Biden-led Democrats faced tough fight from the Republicans. Back home, in Bihar, almost all media’s poll surveys predicted victory for the RJD-led Grand Alliance (MGB)despite the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)being in power at the Center. However, their predictions failed and the NDA came out victorious in the very closely fought elections. It was a perfect photo-finish with both the major alliances sharing almost equal number of votes. The difference was mere 0.03 percent with the winning combine scoring 37.26% and MGB garnering 37.23% votes, but difference in seats proved bigger with NDA securing 125 seats against MGB’s 110. Interestingly, out of 22 seats which were won by less than 2000 votes in Bihar polls, 11 seats were won by NDA and remaining 11 seats by MGB.Thus concluded the dance of democracy and placing of the people’s representatives in the temples of democracy. Media discourses played major parts in informing, educating and shaping the minds to vote responsibly and authoritatively for sustainable socio-economic development.

At the end, democracy was the winner despite dancing to the tunes of the people, politics and media. It stood, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, USA’s 16^th President, for the people, by the people and of the people.