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In the ever-shifting landscape of Bihar politics, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is making calculated moves to consolidate his position ahead of the upcoming elections. His latest strategy appears aimed at undercutting the support bases of two key political figures: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Tejashwi’s outreach to Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Mahadalits, the traditional support bases of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), signals a broader plan to redefine caste alliances in Bihar. These groups, once firmly in the camp of Nitish Kumar and Manjhi, are now being courted by the RJD with promises of greater inclusion, social justice, and economic upliftment.
At recent rallies and public events, Tejashwi has intensified his rhetoric around issues of unemployment, education, and caste-based inequities — themes that deeply resonate with these voter blocs. By projecting himself as a young, progressive alternative to the established order, he is trying to build a rainbow coalition that goes beyond his party’s traditional Muslim-Yadav (MY) vote bank.
Nitish Kumar has long been seen as the architect of EBC political consolidation in Bihar, earning him credibility among these communities through targeted welfare schemes and representation. However, his multiple political realignments — particularly his recent return to the NDA and alignment with the BJP — have led to perceptions of inconsistency, which Tejashwi is keen to exploit.
By highlighting Nitish’s shifting alliances and portraying him as a symbol of political opportunism, Tejashwi is trying to present the RJD as a more stable and reliable choice for EBC voters. His argument is simple: real empowerment comes not just through schemes, but through sustained political recognition and leadership roles — something he promises to deliver if voted to power.
Similarly, Tejashwi is making overtures to Mahadalits, a segment that has historically supported Manjhi. By offering symbolic and substantive gestures — including greater representation, public praise of Dalit icons, and emphasis on land rights and housing schemes — the RJD is attempting to peel away support from Manjhi’s base.
This effort is also informed by the reality that Manjhi’s political influence, while significant, is tied more to identity than to delivery. Tejashwi is aiming to bridge that gap by promising both recognition and resources, thus making the RJD more attractive to young and aspirational Mahadalit voters.
The battle for these voter groups is crucial not just for RJD’s electoral arithmetic, but also for reshaping Bihar’s caste-based political dynamics. Tejashwi knows that expanding beyond the MY formula is essential for long-term success — especially with BJP’s growing reach and JD(U)’s legacy networks.
Whether this strategy pays off will depend on how convincingly Tejashwi can position himself as the face of a new Bihar — one that respects its caste realities but transcends them through inclusive growth and governance. For now, his play for Nitish and Manjhi’s core voters is both bold and necessary in the state’s volatile political theatre.
