10 months ago
Bihar Rivals Vie for Mallah Votes: NDA and Mahagathbandhan Court Crucial Community
Imagine there are two big teams in a game, like in Bihar elections.
One team is called the NDA, and the other is the Mahagathbandhan.
They both want to win over a special group of people called the Mallahs, who are fishermen and boatmen.
These Mallahs are important because their votes can help decide who wins in many places.
Rahul Gandhi from one team even went fishing in a pond to show he cares about them.
The other team's leader, Nitish Kumar, has helped them with money before.
Some Mallahs like Mukesh Sahani, who calls himself the 'Son of Mallah', are with the Mahagathbandhan, and they are promised a big job if their team wins.
But some Mallahs don't trust him because he switches teams a lot.
Others prefer the NDA, and some women worry about old problems returning if the Mahagathbandhan wins.
So, it's tricky, and the Mallahs might split their votes between the two teams.
Political alliances NDA and Mahagathbandhan are actively trying to secure votes from the Mallah community in Bihar.
The Mallah community, making up 9.6% of Bihar's population, is a significant voting bloc in at least 20 constituencies.
The Mahagathbandhan has projected Mallah leader Mukesh Sahani as a potential deputy to Tejashwi Yadav to woo the community.
Mallah voters are divided, with some favoring the Mahagathbandhan due to Mukesh Sahani's influence, while others lean towards the NDA or the current government led by Nitish Kumar.
Factors influencing Mallah voters include promises of power, past welfare schemes, distrust in switching alliances, and concerns about social order.
- Who
- The NDA and Mahagathbandhan alliances, vying for the support of the Mallah community.
- What
- Both political alliances are making efforts to win over the Mallah community, whose votes are considered crucial in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
- Where
- Bihar, with specific mentions of Begusarai and Muzaffarpur districts.
- When
- Leading up to the November 6 polling day.
- Why
- The Mallah community, constituting 9.6% of Bihar's population, holds significant influence in at least 20 constituencies, making their vote decisive.
Key facts
- Community
- Mallah (including sub-castes like Nishad, Bind, Manjhi, Kewat, Turaha)
- Population Percentage
- 9.6% of Bihar's population (2023 caste survey)
- Key Leaders
- Mukesh Sahani (VIP), Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Nitish Kumar (JDU), Raj Bhushan Choudhary (BJP)
- Decisive Constituencies
- At least 20 in and around Muzaffarpur district
- Election Date Mentioned
- November 6
Quotes
Laxman Sahani
A sixty-something resident in Telia village of Muzaffarpur district
“Mallah leader Mukesh Sahani has been promised the deputy chief minister’s post (by the Opposition alliance), so, many from here will vote for the lantern. But the current government isn’t bad”
telegraphindia.com
Jamunia Devi
A stall owner in Telia village of Muzaffarpur district
“Nitish has done a lot for the poor”
telegraphindia.com
Bhagat Bind
A resident of Turki village
“We don’t trust Mukesh Sahani — he keeps changing sides”
telegraphindia.com
Ram Babu Sahani
A resident of Telia village
“There will be a split. About 70 per cent of Mallahs may vote for the Mahagathbandhan because of Mukesh Sahani, and the rest will back the NDA”
telegraphindia.com
