National Approval Ratings: In Bihar, BJP-JD(U)-LJP alliance projected to win big as Cong-RJD likely to lag behind

With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections looming ever larger, the political scenario in the country is currently in a state of flux, with parties desperately figuring out seat-sharing terms, snubbing or accepting each other with respect to alliances, or fielding their big names in various states. Republic TV and CVoter are back with the National Approval Ratings to give a complete national picture as to who will win if polls are held today. After the BJPs former alliance partner Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) joined the Mahagathbandhan in the politically fluid and electorally significant state:

Here's the projected breakdown of seat share and vote share: 

Projection: The NDA, that is the BJP, the LJP and the JDU, is projected to get a vote share of 45.1% with a seat share of 35 seats. On the other hand, things are not looking good for the UPA as they are projected to manage only 5 seats out of the 40 seats up for grab with the vote share of 37.5%.

Read: National Approval Ratings: In Bihar, Relief For NDA As JD(U)-BJP-LJP Alliance Projected To Gain While UPA-RJD Projected To Drop Back

Seat Share:

• UPA: 5 seats
• NDA: 35 seats

Vote Share:

• UPA: 37.5%
• NDA: 45.1%
• Others: 17.4%

Since the December edition, things have not majorly changed. That means it is a stable ride for BJP- LJP and the JD(U) alliance despite the exit of RLSP. 

In November edition, the NDA was projected to make further strides as compared to 2014 when it won 31 seats, gaining 3 more for a seat share of 34. The 2014 NDA comprised the BJP, LJP and RSLP, whereas now it has also added Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to its fold. The UPA, comprising Congress, Lalu Prasad's RJD and the NCP, had won 7 seats in 2014 (Cong - 2, RJD - 4, NCP - 1), but was projected to win 6 at the juncture (Congress - 1, RJD - 5).

Read: National Approval Ratings: In Bihar, JD(U)-BJP Alliance Projected To Win Big, While Lalu-Congress Projected To Lag Behind

The election year 2019 started off with India’s opposition appearing largely unwilling to acquiesce to Rahul Gandhi's proposal of the Congress serving as a platform for regional parties to come together in order to defeat the BJP. Despite the Congress successes in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, in Uttar Pradesh, the much-heralded Mahagathbandhan turned out to just be a 'Gathbandhan' as old enemies Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati left the Congress out, forming an SP-BSP alliance. Left on its own, the Congress resolved to contest every one of the state's 80 seats and proceeded to formally induct Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the party, appointing her and Jyotiraditya Scindia as General Secretaries for Uttar Pradesh. Elsewhere, former Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela is to join the NCP, while the Congress alliance with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh is also in doubt. Meanwhile, the BJP and Shiv Sena may have witnessed a thaw in their relationship with the Maharashtra government sanctioning Rs 100 crore for a Balasaheb Thackeray memorial. 

On issues concerning large numbers of people, the government passed a constitutional amendment giving a green signal to provide 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to economically weaker sections in the general category, while numerous agrarian schemes that needn't necessarily be farm-loan waivers have also been spoken of in the lead-up to the Modi government's final budget.