In a clear message that the ‘grand alliance’ of the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress was counting on the consolidation of the M-Y combine, it has decided to field as many as 95 Yadav and Muslim candidates for the upcoming Bihar elections. The list of candidates released on Wednesday gave proportionate representation to OBC, upper castes, Schedules Castes but women candidates were largely ignored.
Of the 242 candidates, 134 belonged to backward classes, 40 to SCs/STs, 39 to upper castes and 33 to Muslims. The representation of the women is, however, was as low as 10 per cent with only 25 women given tickets by these three parties.
Among the OBCs, the lion’s share was cornered by Yadavs (62) followed by Kushwahas (30) and Kurmis (17). The alliance has fielded 25 extremely backward caste (EBC) candidates. The backward classes got altogether 55 per cent of the tickets.
Of the 39 tickets to forward castes, Rajput got 14, Brahmins 11, Bhumihars nine and Kayastyhas five. Among the SC candidates, 27 are Mahadalits and 11 Paswans. Muslims who constitute nearly 17 per cent of the population, got slightly less representation in terms of percentage. Of the total 33
Muslim candidates 24 are from Pasmanda (backward) category.
Upper castes got 16 per cent tickets which is more than their population.
The surprise was the inclusion of big number of Kuswaha nominees though they constitute only around six per cent of the population in Bihar.
The joint list of 242 candidates of the alliance was released at JD(U) office by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in presence of the State presidents of the three parties. One constituency Rajgir, reserved for SC, and allotted to JD(U), has been kept pending.
“We have given adequate representation to all sections of society,” said Nitish.
RJD supremo lalu Prasad’s both sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejaswi Prasad Yadav will make their debut in the election from two neighbouring constituencies Mahua and Raghopur respectively in Vaishali district.
The RJD bargained hard to get these two seats which were held by the JD(U),. the ruling party had to drop its Raghopur MlA Satish Kumar and also give up the Mahua seat. Former CM Rabri Devi has lost from Raghopur in 2010.
The JD(U) has dropped two of its Ministers, Ramdhani Singh and Baidyanath Sahni, and about two dozen sitting MlAs including those who sided with Jitan Ram Manjhi or crossed over to the BJP. The RJD denied tickets to over half-a- dozen sitting legislators while the Congress retained all five sitting MlAs. The JD(U) and RJD are contesting 101 seats each and Congress 41.
Political observers feel that Nitish and RJD chief lalu Prasad played very cautiously giving representation to various caste groups. While the RJD supremo ensured a fair number of tickets to his caste men, Nitish ensured that two castes - Kushwaha and Kurmi - who propelled them to power in Bihar, got a fair deal. Giving 47 tickets to this group is viewed as a counter to the politics of Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha and his RlSP.
With the list of the Maha gathbandhan nominees out on Wednesday and that of BJP and its allies released earlier, one thing is amply clear that all the parties are playing the OBC cards to the hilt.
Nitish said there was no conflict and clash in seat sharing and candidates selection in the grand alliance as compared to the open infighting in the NDA over seat sharing.
“I was advised by lalu to release the list,” said Nitish, pointing out that it showed the unity among the alliance partners.
For the first time, in the JD(U) office banner depicting the photographs of lalu, Rabri Devi, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi was put up as the backdrop of the press conference venue.
However, there were some slogan shouting and protest outside the JD(U) office when Nitish was releasing the list. The supporters of some leaders denied tickets raised anti-Nitish slogans.
Saying that development would be the main poll plank of the alliance, Nitish said BJP though talked about development the party was indulging in divisive politics in the name of caste and religion.
The CM also warned the alliance leaders and workers to remain vigil during the Dussehra Puja and Muharram which would be observed almost simultaneously. “Keeping in view of the sensitive nature of these festivals I have put the administration on maximum alert. The BJP will resort to create social tension as a last resort to win election. We have to frustrate their designs,” he said.