Last month, Nitish Kumar returned as Chief Minister of Bihar after the National Democratic Alliance swept the Assembly elections. Two explanations have featured prominently in much of the commentary by analysts: the State’s improvements in basic infrastructure such as roads, piped water, drains, electricity; and women’s empowerment through self-help groups, cycles for girls, and reservations in panchayats, police and State-level jobs. While both these narratives have merit, Bihar’s infrastructure gains and some elements of its record on women’s empowerment have been under quiet strain. Take piped water and drains. During the first phase of Saat Nischay (Seven Resolves), rural tap water access increased from negligible levels in 2011 to nearly 30% of households and over 60% of villages by 2020. There were similar leaps in drainage and other small civic works. This transformation hinged on Panchayati Raj institutions: not just the mukhiyas, who head the Gram Panchayats, but also the 1.1 lakh ward members who directly implemented these projects. Understanding Bihar’s local government structure is key to grasping why this decentralisation was so remarkable. Its …