Caste-Based Parties in Bihar's Politics
Caste-based parties play a significant role in Bihar's political landscape. Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Mukesh Sahni, and Upendra Kushwaha's parties exert considerable control over their respective caste vote banks, significantly influencing election outcomes.
Bihar Politics: Caste holds immense and pervasive importance in Bihar's political dynamics. The influence of caste-based parties is so profound that elections seem incomplete without their involvement. Leaders like Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Mukesh Sahni, and Upendra Kushwaha have carved distinct identities through their caste-based parties. Let's understand the power of these parties and their vote banks, and their impact on Bihar's political scene.
Caste: The Biggest Reality of Bihar's Politics
Politics and caste are deeply intertwined in Bihar. Parties and leaders consider caste equations crucial for electoral success. Before assembly elections, meticulous study of caste-based voting patterns informs ticket distribution. All parties strive to understand the distribution and alliances of different caste groups.
Political analyst and strategist Prashant Kishor (PK) also acknowledges the essential link between leaders and specific castes in Bihar. Caste is the most significant reality of Bihar's politics.
Chirag Paswan and his Dalit Vote Bank
The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Chirag Paswan, primarily relies on the Dalit community for its vote bank. This party carries forward the legacy of Ram Vilas Paswan, who significantly strengthened Dalit politics in Bihar.
In 2017, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government categorized Dalits into two sub-groups: Dalit and Mahadalit. Besides the Paswan caste, other Dalit castes were classified as Mahadalits. Chirag Paswan's party, a part of the NDA, actively seeks to expand its Dalit voter base.
Dalits constitute approximately 5.31% of Bihar's population. While this might not be sufficient to win elections independently, their role within an alliance can be decisive.
Chirag Paswan has attempted to build broader appeal among youth and the general populace through campaigns like 'Bihar First, Bihari First'.
Jitan Ram Manjhi and the Mahadalit Musahar Voters
Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi formed the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) in 2015 after leaving the JD(U). This party is part of the NDA. Manjhi himself belongs to the Musahar caste, a part of the Mahadalit group.
Mahadalits comprise about 14% of Bihar's population, with the Musahar community accounting for 3.09%. This community is particularly active in districts like Gaya, Jehanabad, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj.
Manjhi's party primarily relies on Musahar votes and has the potential to influence election results in these districts.
Mukesh Sahni and the Nishad Voters
Mukesh Sahni, leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), relies on the Nishad community's vote bank. The Nishad caste includes various sub-castes like Mallah, Amat, Kewat, Gond, and others.
The Nishad community constitutes roughly 9.65% of Bihar's population. Sahni's support extends beyond the core Nishad community to other related sub-castes.
The VIP is part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan and is primarily active in districts like Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Khagaria, where the Nishad vote plays a crucial role.
Upendra Kushwaha and the Koiri Vote Bank
Upendra Kushwaha, leader of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLD), belongs to the Koiri caste, comprising about 4.21% of Bihar's population. This caste is a key component of Nitish Kumar's 'Luv-Kush' (Kurmi-Koeri) equation, which strengthened the JD(U) and NDA.
The Koiri community is significantly present in several Bihar districts, including Aurangabad, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Nalanda. Kushwaha's party is in the NDA alliance, and he strives to maintain his caste base's strength.
The BJP, by nominating Upendra Kushwaha to the Rajya Sabha and appointing him as a minister, demonstrated his importance within their alliance.
