Sanjeeda Alam, a resident of Muslim-majority Rekhtra village in Bihar’s Araria, was among the many ladies beneficiaries who had Rs 10,000 transferred to their accounts by the Nitish Kumar-led NDA authorities beneath the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana (MMRY) simply earlier than the announcement of meeting elections. Nevertheless, she determined to assist the “coronary heart chap”, the Nationwide Congress hand image.
Unimpressed by the Nickel authorities’s pro-women insurance policies on the eve of the polls, she claims that at a current assembly in her village, an individual purporting to be a authorities consultant informed her that the help of Rs 10,000 each 10 months would value Rs 50 in curiosity. Sanjeeda’s husband, Sayyad Alam, standing subsequent to her in entrance of the small pucca home the place their kids play, insists that the stipend “was not a present to the lady, it was a mortgage.” Alam mentioned Tejashwi Yadav ought to turn out to be the chief minister, including that his spouse approves of Lalu Prasad above all else. Sanjeeda mentioned she additionally acknowledged Rahul Gandhi, including that he had come to the village as soon as.
Manikpur Bara village within the close by Forbesganj constituency is dwelling to primarily EBCs and Mahadalits. Champa Devi, a resident belonging to the Rishidev (Musahar) caste, and her household assist the Phool Chaap (the image of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration). Devi explains, “Jo humko kuchh dega, usee ko vote denge. Modi ji bahut diye hain. Aur kisi ko vote nahin denge (We vote for somebody who offers us one thing. Modi ji has given us a lot. We is not going to vote for anybody else).” When requested who ought to be the CM, she instantly replied, “Nitish Kumar.”
Amid the disagreement surrounding Bihar’s polls, the Zemanchal area, which has the very best Muslim inhabitants in the complete state, exhibits how the Nitchinich authorities’s welfare schemes and assist for girls are being acquired on the bottom. The area has a complete of 24 seats in 4 constituencies — Purnia, Araria, Katihar and Kishanganj — and the second part of voting is scheduled for November 11.
Zemanchal is demographically advantageous provided that the Congress is a serious constituent of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and its core MY (Muslim, Yadav) assist base is bigger right here. Kishanganj has the very best focus of Muslims within the area at 67.89%, adopted by Katihar at 44.47%, Araria at 42.95% and Purnia at 38.46%.
Nevertheless, the NDA appears to have penetrated throughout castes and even amongst non-Yadav Hindus, from the higher castes to the Musahars (scheduled castes), making the battle within the area fierce.
muslim variations
Muslims within the area primarily assist the RJD-Congress, though it has experimented with gamers like Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM in some closely populated seats. In 2020, AIMIM gained 5 seats right here, Mahagathbandhan lowered to seven seats, whereas NDA gained 12 seats. Not like the earlier polls, the place it fielded most of its 20 candidates from Zeemanchal, AIMIM is contesting 25 seats throughout the state this time, together with 11 from the area.
In Araria seat, the place Muslims make up about half of the voters, Muslims seem to have rallied across the Mahagathbandhan. Right here, Congress candidate Abidur Rehman can be pitted towards JD(U)’s Shagufta Azim and AIMIM’s Mohammad Manzur Alam. “Owaisi is an informed particular person however he can not win in Bihar. That’s the reason we’re working with RJD and Congress,” mentioned Mohammad Sulaiman, a shopkeeper.
Nevertheless, within the adjoining Jokihat constituency, the place Muslim voters are estimated to account for round 70%, assist seems to be cut up between the Congress, AIMIM and Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraj. Right here, two sons of native politician, late Tasleemuddin, incumbent MLA Shahnawaz Alam from RJD and Sarfaraz Alam from Jan Suraazi are competing towards one another. Within the multi-corner contest, JD (U) and AIMIM fielded Manzar Alam and Mushid Alam respectively.
At a store within the Jokihat market, a number of native Muslims are having a full of life dialogue about their voting preferences. “Among the many sons of Taslimuddin, Sarfaraz is probably the most hospitable to the individuals right here. I’ll vote for him. Do not be shocked if Jan Suraj occupies this seat,” says Mohammad Noman. RJD supporters then quipped, “Do not be shocked in the event that they cut up the Muslim vote and the JD(U) good points.” Younger males additionally joined in, saying Owaisi was a “very succesful particular person” who made Shahnawaz Alam the primary MLA from right here in 2020. “This time, he will certainly choose his candidate Murshid Alam,” he added.
In 2020, Shahnawaz gained this seat on AIMIM’s ticket by defeating his brother Sarfaraz, who was an RJD candidate on the time, however quickly joined a bunch of 4 AIMIM MLAs who defected to RJD.
Growth, “penetration”
A visit by means of the Muslim settlements of Zemanchal exhibits totally different views on growth, despite the fact that each neighborhood is looking for growth. Whereas some Hindu voters, primarily OBC and Dalit voters, see the NDA as an enabler, some Muslims oppose or despise the NDA.
Mohammad Sulaiman mentioned Nitish is “fairly well-employed and can be worldly” however added that he nonetheless prefers the RJD. He believes that growth is the aim of governance. Inam-ul-Haq, who runs a madrasa in Rekhtla village, mentioned that employment and growth are necessary and praised Nitish as CM. Nevertheless, he mentioned that the merger of RJD and Congress was his selection.
Controversial points corresponding to SIR and the BJP’s ‘infiltration’ marketing campaign is not going to be mentioned right here except raised. Inam-ul-Haq mentioned there was no downside with SIR because it was only a matter of filling out a type. Sayyad Alam mentioned he had not had any issues, however had heard that some names had been eliminated. “That is not good,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not Muslims would cut up their votes in Jokihat regardless of the Bharatiya Janata Celebration management’s trumpeting of the problem of “infiltration”, Mohamand Noman mentioned: “We is not going to be swayed by what anybody says. We are going to vote for the candidate we like.”
In Manikpur Bara village, which is dominated by the EBC and the Musahars, when requested if there have been unlawful immigrants, individuals mentioned they’d by no means seen them. When the BJP’s pitch is talked about, Musahar says, “Woh to hoga hai. Bahut suna hai (I am certain. I’ve heard quite a bit about it).”
