• Source:JND
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Bihar Election 2025: With just few weeks remaining in the much-hyped Bihar Assembly election, both the major alliances, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan are likely to announce their seat sharing formula in the next few days. The seat sharing has been a puzzle for both the alliances due to the demands from the ally partners and other key factors, including anti-incumbency. One of the biggest factors to keep in mind during the seat sharing and making poll promises is the caste factor. While the politics has mostly revolved around the Other Backward Caste (OBC) and EBC (Extremely Backward Class) in the past few decades, the General caste group has also played a key role.

How significant is General in Bihar's politics?

The 2023 Bihar caste survey suggests that the total population of General castes, including Brahmins, Rajputs, Bhumihars, and Kayasthas is around 16 per cent of the total population. While these caste groups voted for the Congress in the first few decades after independence, it has been voting for the BJP for the past several years. However, with factors like anti-incumbency and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj contesting the polls, the saffron party is taking several steps to maintain its grip on the vote base.

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How BJP is ensuring non-division of General votes?

- BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy launched the "Sanga Yatra" to reach out to these caste groups, seeking their support.
- "You cannot simply ignore Rajputs saying they comprise only 3.5 per cent of the population," Rudy said in an interview.
- The famous Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh has once again joined the BJP, ensuring party's strong presence in Arrah and other nearby regions.

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- The state government has also assured to consider the changes recommended by the Savarna Ayog to ensure upliftment of the economically deprived General castes.