NEW DELHI: After securing a decisive victory in the Delhi assembly elections, the BJP is now setting its sights on Bihar, where it aims to emerge as the single-largest party in the upcoming October-November elections. Senior BJP officials have outlined a strategy to expand their voter base by targeting Yadavs, who constitute approximately 17% of Bihar’s population, in an effort to weaken the RJD’s traditional Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) alliance.
BJP’s Strategic Push for Bhumihar Support
The BJP, a key pillar of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has taken significant steps to appeal to dominant caste groups. A key move in this direction was the appointment of seven Bhumihar ministers to the state cabinet on Wednesday, under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U). This development signals the BJP’s increasing focus on securing the support of upper castes, particularly Bhumihars, who have historically been an influential voting bloc in Bihar.
A senior BJP official emphasized the impact of these new appointments, stating, “It is impossible to ignore the influence that these BJP MLAs hold in their respective caste groups. Their voices carry weight, and their communities look up to them for guidance in electoral decisions.”
Challenges in Breaking RJD’s M-Y Dominance
Despite these efforts, the BJP faces an uphill battle in disrupting the RJD’s entrenched support among Muslims and Yadavs. Political analyst RK Verma from Patna noted that the RJD has not only maintained its grip on its core vote bank but has also made inroads into upper-caste communities. “While the BJP and its allies have been aggressively working to expand their influence, RJD’s consolidation strategy has been equally robust,” he said.
The absence of a towering Yadav leader within the BJP remains a key concern. Verma pointed out, “Lalu Prasad Yadav remains the community’s undisputed leader. Tejashwi Yadav has inherited this legacy, and as a result, the BJP struggles to garner more than 2-4% of Yadav votes. The party simply does not have a leader who can effectively challenge the RJD’s hold over Yadavs.”
Bhumihars Leaning Toward the RJD?
In a surprising shift, the RJD has been making substantial gains among upper-caste voters, particularly Bhumihars, who were once considered a solid BJP-JD(U) vote bank. Political commentator Nawal Kishor Thakur attributed this shift to growing resentment within the Bhumihar community over their perceived marginalization in government positions. “The increasing discontent among Bhumihars about their political representation has created an opportunity for the opposition. The RJD has capitalized on this, drawing more upper-caste support than before,” he explained.
Implications for the Bihar Elections
With the battle for Bihar intensifying, the BJP is expected to recalibrate its strategy to counter RJD’s stronghold. While efforts to erode the M-Y base continue, the party must also address concerns within the upper-caste electorate, particularly the Bhumihars, to reinforce its support among traditional allies.
As Bihar inches closer to the elections, the evolving caste dynamics and shifting voter allegiances will be crucial in determining the political landscape. Whether the BJP can overcome these challenges and position itself as the dominant force in Bihar remains to be seen.
