Bihar's high-stakes electoral showdown has exposed the fragility of lofty promises, with the NDA and Mahagathbandhan (MGB) jettisoning slogans like "Jiski Jitni Sankhya, Uski Utni Hissedaari" and "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas" for ruthless caste calculus. Ticket distribution data reveals a stark retreat to core vote banks, prioritizing winnability over equity — Muslims get crumbs, Yadavs feast, and EBCs play kingmaker.
The NDA doubles down on upper castes: BJP allots 21% tickets to Rajputs and 16% to Bhumihars — wildly disproportionate to their 3% population share — while slashing Muslims to near-zero and Yadavs to a measly 6%. JD(U) counters by championing non-Yadav OBCs, handing 12% to Kurmis (Nitish Kumar's community), 13% to Koeri/Kushwahas, and 19% to EBCs, solidifying the Luv-Kush bloc against Yadav dominance.
On the flip side, MGB fortifies its Muslim-Yadav fortress: RJD lavishes 37% tickets on Yadavs (double their 14% share) and 13% on Muslims, claiming half its slate. To dodge "Yadav Raj" backlash, it tweaks with 10% each for Kushwahas and EBCs, while Congress broadens appeal via 34% upper castes and 15% NYOBC/EBC. Across MGB, Yadavs snag 26% seats vs. 14% population; Muslims limp at 12%.
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For SC-ST's 40 reserved seats, both alliances field minimal candidates in general categories, recalling 2020 splits: 60% upper castes, 50% NYOBC/EBC/STs to NDA; 75% Muslims/Yadavs to MGB; SCs evenly divided. Post-2020 tweaks — NDA boosts Rajputs (+8), Bhumihars (+5); MGB ups EBCs (+16) — echo tactical fencing, not revolution.
No PDA-style upheaval like UP's 2024, where Akhilesh Yadav's Pichhda-Dalit-Alpsankhyak formula toppled BJP. Bihar's players cling to comfort zones, betting consolidation trumps coalitions. As posters preach inclusion and rallies roar slogans, the ballot math whispers truth: in Bihar, caste still crowns kings.
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