Editorial

The exit-polls in Bihar paint a familiar picture: the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears poised to retain power, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan faces a setback. Nearly all major polls put the NDA in the range of 120-170 seats, with only a handful forecasting a narrower margin. On the surface, this looks like a resounding endorsement of the incumbents. But a closer look reveals deeper currents: a fatigue with existing governance, the erosion of political alternatives, and troubling signs for democratic vibrancy.

Victory in Numbers, Disquiet in Depth
When the electorate turns out in large numbers—as Bihar did with a record-high turnout—it sends a message of engagement. But when the dominant bloc secures a comfortable lead simply because the opposition lacks traction, the victory is ­– paradoxically – a sign of stagnation. For the NDA, these exit polls validate the narrative of continuity: development, law & order and stability. Yet for democracy, the lesson is cautionary: when power is recycled without credible opposition, accountability falters and policy fatigue builds.

Opposition’s Failure, Voter Disaffection
The Mahagathbandhan’s poor showing in exit polls signals more than a tactical loss; it points to an inability to articulate the anger of the youth, unemployed urbanites and rural migrants. In a state where joblessness, migration and generational aspiration burn bright, the failure of the opposition to channel those forces is itself a symptom of democratic decline.

Exit-polls and Their Limits
Still, exit-polls are snapshots, not certainties. Bihar’s past shows that predictions often mis-fire. A complacent winner or a surprised loser alike could emerge once the counting is done. The real test will come when the new government governs, not when it celebrates.

A Call for Real Opposition and Real Governance
If this election confirms one thing, it is that power without contest loses potency. The state needs an opposition that challenges corruption and absence of opportunity — not just rallies against ‘injustice’ slogans. For the NDA, the message is equally clear: winning is not the same as performing.

Democracy Beyond the Ballot
Bihar shows us that winning elections is not the same as renewing society. A vibrant democracy requires more than majorities — it demands alternatives, critique, innovation. The fault lines of Bihar are not just between blocs but between promise and delivery, dissent and domination. The exit-poll result may predict who forms the government, but the real verdict will be on whether that government addresses Bihar’s promise of dignity, opportunity and hope — or simply sustains power for power’s sake.

The COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, has delivered a sobering message to the world — our current climate commitments are not enough. Despite lofty pledges, technological advances, and repeated warnings from scientists, the Earth is still on course to warm beyond the critical 1.5°C threshold by the middle of this century. What was once seen as an achievable target has now become a fading dream, sacrificed at the altar of political hesitation and corporate greed.

The update released at COP30 paints a grim picture: greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, fossil fuel subsidies remain staggering, and the pace of renewable transition is far too slow. While some nations celebrate marginal reductions, others expand coal and oil production under the guise of “energy security.” The hypocrisy is global — rich countries delay climate finance, while developing nations, trapped between poverty and pollution, struggle to balance growth with sustainability.

The 1.5°C limit was not just a number; it was a moral boundary — the difference between survival and catastrophe for millions living in coastal, arid, and island regions. Every tenth of a degree beyond it means intensified floods, wildfires, and crop failures. Belém’s message is clear: the window for action is closing rapidly.

The world needs not more conferences but courage — to end fossil fuel dependence, to invest massively in clean energy, and to hold nations accountable. Climate justice must replace climate rhetoric. If COP30 is to be remembered at all, it should be as the turning point when humanity finally decided to act, not as another milestone of missed opportunities.

In the final reckoning, history will not forgive our excuses — only our action can redeem us.

• SAS Kirmani