With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, political activity in the state is intensifying. One of the key focuses of political parties is to secure the Dalit vote bank, and JDU is now stepping up its efforts to do so. After Congress made its move by appointing a Dalit leader as the state president, JDU is planning a grand celebration of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, with the aim of gaining more support from Dalit communities in Bihar.
JD(U) Plans to Win Dalit Votes with a Major Event
JD(U), known for its long-standing claim of working for the upliftment of Dalits, is now planning to organize a large-scale event in honor of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contributions. On April 13, JDU will host a major event at the Bapu Sabhagar, followed by a grand Deepotsav (festival of lights) in Dalit localities across the state on April 14. This event is part of the party’s strategy to solidify its hold over the Dalit vote bank in the run-up to the elections.
According to senior JDU leader and Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary, the celebrations will focus on spreading the teachings and thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Chaudhary stated that this would be an important step in ensuring the party connects with the Dalit community, which has historically been a significant voter base.
JD(U)’s Efforts to Outdo Congress in Dalit Vote Game
The move by JDU comes as Congress has already made significant efforts to appeal to Dalit voters by appointing Rajesh Kumar Ram, a leader from the Jatav community, as the state party president. The Jatav community forms around 5.25% of Bihar’s population, and Congress is hoping to capitalize on this demographic shift to gain an edge in the upcoming elections.
In contrast, JDU has focused on creating a strong alliance with the Dalit community by showcasing the work done by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their welfare. Nitish Kumar’s government has introduced several schemes aimed at the upliftment of Dalits, including caste surveys and initiatives to classify backward castes, which have been significant steps in empowering marginalized sections of society.
Dalit Vote Bank in Bihar: A Decisive Factor in Elections
Bihar has a significant Dalit population, comprising nearly 19.65% of the total population. This community holds considerable sway over the state’s electoral outcome, especially with 38 seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly being reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs). In the 2020 elections, the NDA managed to win 19 of these 38 reserved seats, while the RJD secured 10, and JDU and BJP won 8 each.
As political parties make their moves ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, the Dalit vote is proving to be a major battleground. JDU’s attempt to strengthen its position by celebrating Babasaheb’s legacy is aimed at not just paying tribute to the Dalit icon but also at strategically appealing to this crucial voter segment.
