Despite significant claims made regarding the caste census in Bihar, when it came time to offer benefits, the extremely backward castes were not given as much representation. In this Lok Sabha election, only two to four castes have been represented in politics, dominating among the backward and extremely backward castes.
Both alliances have fielded 16 candidates from the Yadav caste, with the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. In the Mahagathbandhan, the RJD has nominated nine, the Left BSP (BSP) one, the CPI one, and the BJP three Yadav candidates. Similarly, the NDA has given the opportunity to seven Yadav candidates, with the BJP nominating three and the JD(U) four candidates.
Regarding the extremely backward castes, both alliances have given a chance to 12 candidates. Among them, the RJD has two, the Congress one, and the BSP one. Meanwhile, in the NDA, the BJP has nominated three and the JD(U) four candidates.
The Kushwaha caste has nine candidates in both alliances. Among them, the RJD has nominated Alok Mehta from Ujiyarpur, Abhay Kushwaha from Aurangabad, and Shravan Kushwaha from Nawada. The Left BSP has Rajaram Singh from Karakat, the CPI(M) has Sanjay Kumar from Khagaria, and the VIP has Rajesh Kushwaha from Purvi Champaran and Anshul Abhijit Kushwaha from Patna Sahib as candidates. In contrast, the NDA has JD(U)’s Santosh Kushwaha from Purnia and Upendra Kushwaha, who himself has been nominated from Romomo in Katihar.
Caste Representation by Parties:
Mahagathbandhan:
– SC – 20, ST – 7, General – 5, EBC – 4, Muslim – 4
NDA:
– General – 14, BC – 11, EBC – 8, Dalit – 6, Muslim – 1
RJD – Total Candidates: 23
– Bhumihar – 1, Rajput – 1
– Yadav – 9, Kushwaha – 3, Vaishya – 1
– EBC – Dhanuk, Gangaot
– Dalit – Ravidas – 2, Paswan – 1
– Muslim – 2
Congress – Total Candidates: 9
– Bhumihar – 2, Brahmin – 1
– Dalit – Ravidas – 1, Paswan – 1
– EBC – 1, Kushwaha – 1
– Muslim – 2
VIP – Total Candidates: 3
– Kushwaha – 1, Vaishya – 1, Paswan – 1
Left BSP – Total Candidates: 3
– Yadav – 1, Kushwaha – 1, EBC – Halwai – 1
CPI(M) – Total Candidates: 1
– Kushwaha
CPI(ML) – Total Candidates: 1
– Yadav
BJP – Total Candidates: 17
– Rajput – 5, Bhumihar – 2, Brahmin – 2, Kayasth – 1
– BC – Vaishya – 1, Yadav – 3
– EBC – Gangai – 1, Mallah – 2
– Dalit – Ravidas – 1
JD(U) – Total Candidates: 16
– Rajput – 1, Bhumihar – 1, Brahmin – 1
– BC – Kushwaha – 1, Yadav – 2, Kurmi – 1
– EBC – Gangota – 1, Goswami – 1, Dhanuk – 1, Kamat – 1
– Dalit – Ravidas – 1
– Muslim – 1
LJP – Total Candidates: 5
– Paswan – 1, Dalit – Musahar – 1, Upendra Kushwaha – 1
– HAM-Dalit (Musahar) – 1, Upendra Kushwaha – 1
