Background

Bihar is one of the most politicised states of India and, indeed, a mini-reflection of its complex socio-political tapestry. The politically charged landscape within Bihar is thus deeply embedded in caste politics, offering exciting fields of empowerment, resistance, and transformation. Bihar has shifted from being a battleground of nationalist struggles during the British Raj to being a breeding ground for caste-based politics. Here, caste groups have organized themselves politically to gain representation, thereby changing the power dynamics in the state with time. The caste system, whether considered to be antithetical or an integral part in the development of democracy, is undoubtedly a significant feature of Indian society. Hence, the intersection of caste and politics is pivotal to understanding the developing limits of Indian politics.

In contemporary Bihar, politics witnesses steep fluctuations of both highs and lows, where electoral politics is majorly governed by caste mobilisation. State-level political parties also wield considerable clout by managing niches among specified caste groups, as they often operate as king-makers in a fragmented political arena.

This blog explores the fragile role of smaller political parties in Bihar by leveraging identity politics, grassroots relationships, and political discourses of power. In the process, the parties fundamentally reshaped how caste and power intersected in Bihar.

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