Bihar’s Seemanchal belt, with 24 seats, is reshaping state politics.
New Delhi: The Seemanchal belt of Bihar has swiftly emerged as one of the most dynamic political battlegrounds, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan stepping up their campaigns through back-to-back rallies, welfare schemes, and high-profile visits. The contest has grown even more complex following the entry of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj and Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, which has effectively turned the fight into a four-cornered electoral battle.
Although Seemanchal accounts for just 24 Assembly seats spread across the districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar, and Purnia, experts underline that the region often holds disproportionate influence in shaping Bihar’s overall election outcome. The demographic composition makes it particularly significant, with Muslims forming a majority in Kishanganj at over 60%, about 45% in Araria, more than 40% in Katihar, and around 30% in Purnia. Alongside, the sizeable presence of Yadavs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) makes the region a decisive arena in Bihar’s political calculations.
The NDA has placed its bets on a development-driven pitch. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently toured Katihar, where she assured farmers of support and announced the creation of a Makhana Board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to visit Purnia to inaugurate the newly completed Purnia Airport. His visit is expected to be accompanied by the launch of a series of infrastructure and welfare projects, including the Purnia-Patna Greenfield Expressway, a Vande Bharat train service, and a new industrial zone in Purnia. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally inspected the airport construction site in anticipation of the inauguration.
Meanwhile, on the opposition front, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been galvanising support through his Voter Rights Yatra, which passed through eight constituencies of Seemanchal. His central message revolved around unity within the Mahagathbandhan, as leaders who were once bitter rivals displayed rare camaraderie. Gandhi, during his addresses, attacked both the state and central governments over issues of unemployment, agriculture, and education, which in turn re-energised grassroots workers and consolidated the alliance’s standing among voters in the Muslim-majority belt.
At the same time, the presence of AIMIM and Jan Suraj has added further intrigue to the unfolding political drama. AIMIM, which managed to secure five Assembly seats in Seemanchal during the last elections but is now left with a lone MLA from Amaur, is determined to make a comeback and reassert its influence in the region.
Prashant Kishor, the political strategist-turned-activist, is also investing significant time in Seemanchal through his Jan Suraj movement. He has concentrated efforts in constituencies such as Rupauli, Kasba, Banmankhi, and Baisi. With Pappu Singh, Jan Suraj’s national president and an experienced political figure from Purnia, the party is looking to carve out a strong alternative space.
A political analyst closely monitoring Bihar’s evolving landscape told The Sunday Guardian that with heavyweight leaders from Patna to Delhi flocking to Seemanchal, the region is set to host one of the most closely watched multi-cornered battles in the state’s electoral history.
