From calling for a Bharat Ratna to Lalu Prasad for his contribution to social justice, to organizing particular assist occasions for the Tehri group to calling out EBC icon Karpoori Thakur, the RJD has gone the additional mile up to now yr to stake its declare to non-Yadav OBC and EBC voters.
The Tejashwi Yadav-led occasion, aside from making employment its major pillar, hoped that this might broaden the occasion’s attraction past its Yadav Muslim vote base. The RJD has additionally labored intently with the Congress and the demand for a caste census, this time allying itself with smaller caste-based organizations comparable to Mukesh Sahani’s Vikashir Insan Occasion (VIP), which represents Nishad, and the IP Singh Occasion of Tanti and Paan Samaj events.
Nevertheless, because the 2025 Bihar Meeting elections draw to a detailed, the RJD’s makes an attempt to increase its social base look like nonetheless underway. Past Champaran, Mithilanchal, Shahabad and Zeemanchal – indian categorical Vacationers – Main OBC and EBC castes apart from the Yadavs, such because the Koeri Kushwahas, Noniyas, Telis and Nishads, appear to be reluctant to quell their full religion within the Mahagathbandhan.
In Shahabad, the alliance carried out nicely within the 2020 parliamentary polls and the 2024 Sabah elections.
Elements holding again non-Yadav backwards embody deep-seated fears of Lalu’s ‘jungle rule’, Yadav dominance in rural socio-economics, lessening resentment from the welfare system in opposition to JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, opposition events’ incapability to provide you with a reputable various, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sweeping attraction throughout caste teams.
Krishna Prasad, a bread vendor from the Vaishya group (OBC) in West Champaran’s Nautan Bazaar, says he’s “sick and drained” of Nitish Kumar’s politics. He has criticized Nitish’s political U-turn, accusing him of ushering in an “Afsarsahi” (bureaucratic rule) that has “forgotten growth” and led to “unchecked native corruption” since 2010. So will he vote for regime change?
“Acha… nahal par baik ah, gadi chinwa leen (So I am about to get robbed on my means dwelling)!” Prasad says sarcastically. “No political occasion offers me something, however a minimum of now I earn in peace.”
In close by Jainagar village, Kushwaha farmers who dislike the native Bharatiya Janata Occasion MLA insist they’ll vote for Jan Suraaj over Mahagathbandhan. “We now have seen Lal Raj. Nobody may come out of their properties after sundown,” says Nirmal Verma.
Others level to Nitish’s welfare measures — “free electrical energy, pension, Rs 10,000 crore for girls” nearly as good causes to stay with the NDA.
Ramesh Mandal, a resident of Shambhuganj from caste-based Banka Panchapania (EBC), stated, “We’re pleased with Nitish. Even when he didn’t give jobs to many individuals, there may be nonetheless peace. Now there is no such thing as a feeling that Yadavs are being dominated.”
Keshav Mehta, a Kushwa farmer from Munger, is a Bharatiya Janata Occasion voter and stays loyal to the occasion as occasion chief and deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary hails from the district. “Within the 2020 polls, Tejashwi had some attraction along with his promise of 1 million jobs. However this time, some Kushwakhas will vote for RJD provided that the RJD is fielding a Kushwa candidate,” Mehta stated.
Kushwaha household in Vasudeva village (categorical picture)
In Bholi, Gopalganj, Shivshankar Chauhan criticizes the prohibition regulation and his son complains of unemployment, however neither of them voted for the RJD. Each say Tejashwi can’t be trusted. “It was beneath his father’s rule that each one jobs disappeared in Bihar.”
In Siwan’s Gopalpur, shopkeeper Amarnath Bhagat dismissed considerations about Nitish’s age, saying, “If he does his job correctly, he’ll have the ability to work for one more 50 years.”
A dialog between Yadav’s mechanic and Teri’s good friend at Chilaiya in Motihari sums up the RJD’s problem. “When RJD wins, you Yadavs begin asserting your self. Additionally, forward of elections, you get very excited and others unite in opposition to you,” says the latter.
Vasudeva village (categorical picture)
The sentiment is analogous in southern Bihar, the place the RJD has carried out nicely up to now. “Lal ji min koi downside nahin hai. Unke Yadav ji se hai. Hara gamcha ka raj nahin chahie (We now have no downside with Lalu Prasad. We now have an issue along with his Yadav household. We do not need inexperienced gamcha rule),” says Sanjay Kumar, an Alwar resident who makes a residing promoting coconuts in Patna. Reference is RJD occasion coloration.
Based on the 2022-23 caste census, EBCs represent 36% of Bihar’s inhabitants. Koeri Kushwahas (4.2%) type the most important OBC bloc after Yadavs (14%), adopted by Kurmis (2.8%), Banias (2.3%) and Nonias (1.9%). Inside EBC, Telis (2.8%) and Mallahs (2.6%) are the most important teams.
The RJD has fielded 75 OBCs in its checklist of 142 candidates, of which 51 are Yadavs. EBC had 11 tickets and 13 tickets went to Kushwahas. By way of allies comparable to VIP and Singh’s Inclusion Occasion of India, the RJD has drawn some traction from the EBC, however each stay restricted to subcastes.
However there are some rays of hope for the RJD.
Bechan Bhagat, who runs a small grocery retailer close to Kaimur’s Ramgarh city, stated, “We now have been watching Jagda Babu’s (RJD chief Jagdanand Singh) household rule right here for a very long time. We’re RJD voters as a result of it has given us security and safety… We’re pondering regionally, not who’s ruling on the prime.”
A major variety of Ravidashi Dalit and Musahar voters additionally assist the Mahagathbandhan. “Lal gave us a voice, even the land,” says Prem Kumar, a resident of Musahar in West Champaran. Mohan Ram, a Dalit from Jainagar village in Nautan state, dismissed considerations a few “jungle raj” and stated, “There isn’t a want for a dacoit’s son to grow to be a dacoit.”
The craving for change in Bihar is actual. Nevertheless, I really feel uneasy concerning the choices provided. “I desire a change of management, however inside the ambit of the NDA,” says Sanjay Mishra, an immigrant from Chhapra.
