Patna: The JD(U)'s candidate list for the upcoming Bihar elections clearly reflects its attempt to abate Muslim-Yadav votes of RJD. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has always banked on MY equation and it has played a major role in the party's victory for the last 30 years.
Politics of Bihar has always been caste-driven and Nitish Kumar's led NDA has banked on 45 per cent OBC-EBC vote base in Bihar. But this time, JD(U) has fielded around 30 Muslim-Yadav candidates adding a new twist to the elections. The political scenario in Bihar seems a little confusing with the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) deciding to go solo.
The fact that Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD came to power in 2015 due to MY equation cannot be ruled out. But now with Nitish Kumar fielding more of minority and backward caste candidates has given a big blow to RJD. JD(U) is eyeing on RJD's vote bank.
Nitish's focus on 'RJD's core vote bank has given a big jolt to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. It is interesting to see that several Muslim and Yadav leaders, who have a good electoral presence in their respective areas, have ditched RJD and took shelter in JD(U). The ruling party has given tickets to all its turncoats and has also given priority to upper caste, lower caste and minorities.
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JD(U) has released a list of 115 candidates in which Nitish Kumar has tried to appease all the castes. He has fielded 19 candidates from the upper castes which include two Brahmins, seven Rajputs and eight Bhumihars. It is believed that by fielding candidates from the upper castes they would be pacified to some extent.
Kumar knows how to play the caste card along with 'sushashan babu' image that he has cultivated over the years to counter the grand alliance, mainly RJD. However, Tejashwi has promised 10 lakh jobs if his party forms the government in Bihar.
With CM Nitish Kumar trying to ride on the piggybank of caste politics, RJD is trying to woo the youths by promising 'employment'. It must not be forgotten that unemployment is the highest in Bihar.
On the other hand, the entry of the left parties in the fray of elections may help the RJD-led opposition alliance move beyond its traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank. The CPI-ML enjoys the support of various sections of society including Dalits and Mahadalits in the state.
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