Page 26 - 15MAY2019E

CoverStory

Tone and tenor of campaign in Bihar,

UP distinct from rest of the country

Bihar presents an interesting example of parliamentary elections this time where unlike
other states of the country, there is a bilateral contest between Modi’s charisma and the
constituents of the Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan, writes Dr ANil siNgh

he ongoing Lok Sabha poll, constituencies have sizable SC/ST popu- uled Castes (SCs) keeping in mind the
with its fourth-phase of the lations that entails the likelihood of play- winnability factor.
seven-phase election being ing a pivotal role in the outcome of the On the other hand, JD (U) is heav-
over, holds specific signifi- polls on all 40 Lok Sabha seats. The Other ily banking on the OBCs and EBCs along
T cance for Bihar where there Backward Castes (OBCs) and Extremely with the SCs, which together consti-
was direct contest between the National Backward Class (EBCs) form 51 per cent tute a sizeable chunk of the total popu-
Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Maha- of the state’s population. This includes 14 lation. Some political analysts have
gathbandhan. NDA in Bihar is represent- per cent Yadavs, 4 per cent Kurmis and opined that the NDA has made efforts
ed by the BJP, JD (U), and LJP led by Ram 8 per cent Kushwahas (Koeri). At least 16 to adjust every section of society in the
Vilas Paswan. While Mahagathbandhan per cent of Bihar’s population is Maha- ticket distribution with a view to outdo
comprises RJD, Congress, HAM, RSLP, VIP dalit and Dalits (SCs) while 16.9 per cent the caste matrix of the Mahagathband-
and CPI (M-L). Interestingly, the tone and of population is Muslim. Forward caste han. Sources close to the NDA have
tenor of the ongoing electoral campaign constitutes 15 per cent. apprised this author that NDA is sanguine
in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is different about reaping good electoral dividends
and distinct from the rest of country. NDA’s prospects owing to the BJP’s traditional support
While in the rest of the country, the The NDA has fielded its candidate on 40 base of upper castes, JD (U)\s non-Yadav
electorates are focusing on the candi- Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. While the BJP, OBCs like Kurmi and EBCs. Besides, the
date or the party represented by him/ contesting 17 seats, is focusing on the po- coalition is also banking on PM Modi’s
her whereas in Bihar and UP, the option litical combination of upper castes, JDU, charisma, chief minister Nitish Kumar’s
before the electorate is between the per- also contesting 17 seats is concentrating image of a Vikas Purush and social
sona of PM Modi and social engineering. on non-Yadav OBCs, particularly MBC engineering of the allies.
However, this scenario has emerged as votes; and LJP is depending on Paswan This author during his recent tour of
the defining feature of the election cam- votes. The BJP has named 11 of its 17 can- many districts of Bihar was told by the
paign more prominently in Bihar. Caste didates from the upper castes, which are BJP and NDA sources that PM Modi’s per-
configuration of Bihar society has forced considered the party’s traditional sup- sona is popular with a large chunk of Bi-
the major contesting parties to reinvent port base. A close scrutiny of local media har’s young voters, who, across castes, are
the mechanism of social engineering to reports makes it discernible that of the 11 seemingly rooting resolutely for Modi in
attract voters. upper caste candidates fielded by the BJP, the 2019 elections. In his brief interaction
The caste factor has been a defining five are Rajputs, two each from Brahmin with this author, the BJP candidate from
feature of Bihar politics and it has played and Vaishya communities and one each Begusarai Giriraj Singh stated that if poll-
decisive role in the selection of candi- from Bhumihar and Kayastha. It has also ing percentage of votes exceeded 65 per
dates by both the NDA and the Maha- fielded two from Extremely Backward cent, he could win the seat with a mar-
gathbandhan. More than half of Bihar’s Castes (EBCs) and one from the Sched- gin of over five lakh votes. Similar victory

Tehelka / 15 may 2019 26 www.Tehelka.com