Caste Considerations Shape BJP's Ministerial Selections Ahead of Bihar Elections
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Synopsis
In the lead-up to the Bihar elections, the BJP's latest ministerial appointments reflect a strategic focus on caste dynamics. Notable new ministers represent a variety of communities, aiming to broaden the party's appeal across diverse voter bases.
Key Takeaways
- Caste dynamics play a crucial role in BJP's ministerial selections.
- New appointments aim to strengthen outreach to various voter bases.
- Prominent figures include Krishna Kumar Mantu and Vijay Kumar Mandal.
- The Cabinet now comprises 22 ministers from BJP, marking a significant influence.
- Strategic moves target Extremely Backward Classes and urban communities.
Patna, Feb 26 (NationPress) The caste dynamics have significantly influenced the BJP’s selection of ministers in Bihar following the Cabinet expansion led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday.
Notably, the addition of seven new ministers from various communities enhances the party’s outreach to different voter segments.
A key figure in this expansion is Krishna Kumar Mantu, the MLA from Amanour, who hails from the Kurmi caste and has been appointed as a minister from the BJP quota. Mantu has been politically active since his student days and boasts a robust grassroots presence.
His family is well-established in politics, with his wife, Savita Devi, serving as block Pramukh (Head) for four consecutive terms. Mantu, who shares a close association with Chhapra MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, secured the Assembly seat for a second time in 2020 by defeating RJD’s Sunil Kumar.
Vijay Kumar Mandal, representing the Sikti Assembly constituency in Araria (Seemanchal), belongs to the Kewat caste (Extremely Backward Class). He is a five-time MLA and former state minister. His political journey began in 1995 with Anand Mohan’s Bihar People's Party (BPP), where he was the sole successful candidate. He later joined RJD but was denied a ticket in 2000, leading him to contest as an independent and win. He returned to RJD as a state minister but lost in 2005, later winning the 2009 by-election on an LJP ticket.
His Cabinet inclusion is viewed as a strategy to attract Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), especially the Kewat caste, in the politically significant Seemanchal region.
Raju Kumar Singh, an MLA from Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur district, represents the Rajput caste. He is a four-time MLA and a prominent industrialist in Northern Bihar. His political career commenced with LJP in 2005, winning from Sahebganj. He transitioned to JD-U in the October 2009 by-elections and won again. He retained his seat in 2010 as a JD-U candidate, joined BJP in 2015 but faced electoral defeat. In 2020, he won on a VIP ticket before returning to BJP in 2022.
His induction into the Cabinet bolsters the Rajput vote base in north Bihar.
Sanjay Saraogi, an MLA from the Darbhanga City Assembly constituency, belongs to the Marwari community. He is a five-time MLA from Darbhanga City, recognized for his strong electoral support. His political journey began with ABVP, later becoming a ward councillor in 2003. He was elected MLA in 2005, followed by a by-poll win in 2005, and subsequent victories in 2010, 2015, and 2020.
His appointment serves to solidify BJP’s support among the Marwari business community, a significant economic force in Bihar.
Jivesh Kumar, representing the Jale Assembly constituency, belongs to the Bhumihar caste. A two-time MLA, he was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020. He initiated his political career with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) from 1991 to 1998 and became an active BJP member in 2002. In the 2020 elections, he won by a substantial margin of 21,796 votes.
Previously, he held the positions of Minister of Labour Resources and Minister of Science & Technology in the Bihar government. His inclusion guarantees Bhumihar representation in the Cabinet, a community with notable political influence in Bihar.
Sunil Kumar, representing Bihar Sharif, belongs to the Kushwaha (Koeri) caste. He is a four-time MLA and a significant leader in Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district. Initially part of JDU, he won elections in 2005 and 2010 but switched to BJP in 2013 after JDU severed its alliance with BJP. He won as a BJP candidate in 2015 and 2020.
With medical qualifications as an MBBS and experience as a doctor before entering politics in 1995, his presence in the Cabinet enhances BJP’s appeal among the Kushwaha (Koeri) community, a vital OBC vote bank.
Motilal Prasad represents the Riga assembly constituency in Sitamarhi district as an MLA from the Vaishya Community. He is a two-time MLA who first won in 2010, lost in 2015, and made a comeback in 2020. He belongs to the Vaishya (trader) community, which has a considerable voter presence in Riga. His appointment aims to consolidate support from the Vaishya (business) community for BJP.
This expansion positions the BJP with the highest number of ministerial roles (22) in the Bihar Cabinet, further cementing its influence in the state governance.
The Cabinet expansion not only enhances BJP’s caste and regional representation but also fortifies its foothold in Seemanchal, North Bihar, and urban business communities as the elections approach.
