Caste equations shape Bihar’s first-phase poll as alliances balance representation and core support bases.
Leaders from the NDA and Grand Alliance unveil their first-phase candidate lists, reflecting Bihar’s deep caste-driven electoral strategy (Photo: Pinterest)
NEW DELHI: The caste dynamics that have long defined Bihar’s politics are once again steering the course of the electoral battlefield. Both major coalitions the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) have announced their candidates for the 121 Assembly seats going to polls in the first phase, meticulously balancing social representation while striving to expand their voter base across the state’s diverse communities.
Both alliances have prioritized candidates from backward and most backward castes, though their approaches differ. The NDA has focused heavily on the Kurmi and Kushwaha communities, while the Grand Alliance has placed its strongest bet on the Yadavs. Meanwhile, the Jan Suraj front, led by former MP Pappu Yadav, has emerged as the platform with the highest number of upper-caste candidates in this phase.
As per the data, the NDA has allotted 25 tickets each to candidates from the Kurmi and Kushwaha communities a clear strategy to fortify Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Kurmi base and strengthen its support among the numerically significant Kushwahas. In contrast, the Grand Alliance has fielded 71 candidates from backward and most backward castes, with Yadavs the traditional backbone of the RJD’s support accounting for 40 of them.
Upper-caste representation within the NDA remains substantial, with 48 of its 121 candidates belonging to these communities. Rajputs make up the largest share with 20 candidates 12 from the BJP, six from the JD(U), and two from the LJP (Ram Vilas). Bhumihars follow with 17 candidates (eight from the BJP, six from the JDU and three from LJP-RV, while 10 Brahmins, eight from the BJP and two from the JDU and one Kayastha from the BJP complete the upper-caste list.
Among the backward and extremely backward castes, the NDA has fielded 53 candidates. These include 13 Kurmis (three from the BJP and 10 from the JD(U)) and nine Kushwahas (three from the BJP and six from the JD(U)). There are also eight Yadavs and six Vaishya candidates four from the BJP, two from the JD(U), and one each from the LJP (R) and RLMO. Notably, the NDA has not fielded a single Muslim candidate in the first phase.
The NDA’s candidate list also reflects an effort to accommodate smaller Extremely Backward Class (EBC) groups. It includes three Nishad candidates, one from the BJP and two from the JDU, one Kalwar and three Dhanuk candidates from the JDU, and a single Chaurasia candidate from the BJP in Digha. Five candidates from the Teli-Kanu community have also been nominated two from the BJP and three from the JDU.
Representation from Dalit and Mahadalit groups is equally notable. The NDA has fielded seven Paswan candidates three from the BJP, three from the LJP, and one from the JDU. The JDU has also given tickets to five candidates from the Ravidas community, one from the Pasi community, and one from the Musahar community in Chas.
On the other side, the Grand Alliance has given more prominence to backward and extremely backward communities, fielding 71 such candidates roughly 59 percent of its total list. Of these, 60 are from backward castes and 11 from extremely backward castes. Yadavs dominate this pool, with 40 candidates 34 from the RJD, two from the Congress, three from the Left parties, and one from the VIP.
The second-largest group among the Grand Alliance’s backward caste nominees is the Kushwahas, with 10 candidates six from the RJD, one from the Congress, and three from the Left. Interestingly, neither the RJD nor the VIP has nominated a single Kurmi, while the Congress and Left have fielded one each. The alliance has also fielded six Vaishya candidates (four from the RJD and two from the Congress) and two Tanti-Paan candidates, both from the IIP.
Among the Extremely Backward Castes, the Mallah community has the highest representation, with six candidates four from the VIP, one from the Congress, and one from the Left. Two Chandravanshi candidates have also been fielded, one each by the Congress and the Left. The Grand Alliance’s list also includes 23 upper-caste candidates, with Bhumihars leading at 11, followed by six Rajputs and six Brahmins. There are no Kayastha candidates in this phase.
In the Scheduled Caste category, the Mahagathbandhan has fielded 19 candidates the Ravidas community leading the list with eight candidates, followed by seven Paswans, two Pasis, and one each from the Musahar and Chaupal communities. The alliance has also nominated eight Muslim candidates six from the RJD, and one each from the Congress and the Left in an effort to reinforce its minority support base.
Meanwhile, Pappu Yadav’s Jan Suraj front has chosen a different strategy by giving the highest number of tickets to upper-caste candidates, signaling an attempt to attract voters traditionally aligned with the NDA.
Notably, as the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections draws closer, the candidate lists of both major alliances underscore how caste arithmetic continues to shape the state’s political strategy. The NDA appears intent on consolidating its Kurmi-Koeri and upper-caste base, while the Grand Alliance banks on the Yadav-Muslim combination and its backward-class outreach. The upcoming results will reveal whether Bihar’s voters still cast their ballots along caste lines or respond to broader narratives of governance and development.
