In Bihar’s 2025 Assembly elections, the Nishad and Mallah communities have suddenly emerged as decisive players, especially across 22 crucial constituencies spread over North Bihar and the Mithilanchal region. Living along the banks of rivers like the Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla, Kosi, Budhi Gandak, and Ganga, these traditional fishing and boatmen communities hold the power to swing results in multiple seats.
NDA and Mahagathbandhan in Tug of War Over Nishad Votes
Both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan are aggressively wooing Nishad voters, known locally as Kevat, Kashyap, or Mallah. Traditionally, this community has been aligned with the NDA due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s MBC (Most Backward Class) welfare policies. However, the entry of Mukesh Sahani—leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)—into the Mahagathbandhan has changed the equation entirely.
To counter this shift, the NDA has fielded several prominent Nishad leaders in its campaign, while the Mahagathbandhan is banking on Mukesh Sahani’s charisma to consolidate this voter base.
The Battle for 22 Crucial Constituencies
The influence of Nishad voters is particularly strong in Muzaffarpur (Minapur, Aurai, Bochaha, Kurhani, Sahebganj, Muzaffarpur City), Darbhanga (Bahadurpur, Gaura Bauram, Darbhanga City), Samastipur (Hasanpur, Rosra, Morwa, Sarairanjan, Ujiarpur), Khagaria (Beldaur), Madhhepura (Alamnagar), Vaishali (Lalganj), East Champaran (Sugauli, Kesariya), West Champaran (Pipra), and Bhagalpur (Kahalgaon).
In the 2020 elections, the NDA had captured 14 out of these 22 seats, each having more than 10,000 Nishad voters. Now, with VIP shifting sides, the contest has become far more unpredictable.
Rahul Gandhi’s Symbolic ‘Fishing’ Gesture
The Mahagathbandhan’s eagerness to attract Nishad voters was evident when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined VIP chief Mukesh Sahani in a symbolic fish-catching event in Begusarai, appealing directly to the fishing community. Meanwhile, the NDA has deployed all of its Nishad faces to highlight Nitish Kumar’s developmental programs targeting river-based communities.
NDA’s Nishad Leaders Lead the Ground Campaign
Union Minister Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, State Minister Madan Sahni, and MLCs Bhishma Sahni and Hari Sahni are leading door-to-door outreach campaigns in Nishad-dominated villages. Local residents say the BJP is also reinforcing its presence by bringing back Ajay Nishad, a key political figure whose family—especially his father, late Captain Jai Narayan Nishad, a former Union Minister—holds significant influence among Nishad voters.
BJP’s Strategic Candidate Shuffle
In a major strategic move, the BJP has replaced sitting MLA Ramsurat Rai with Rama Nishad, wife of Ajay Nishad, from the Aurai constituency in Muzaffarpur. Local voters believe this will help the party consolidate the Nishad vote bank.
As Mantu Mallah from Kurhani said, “Mukesh Sahani has certainly emerged as a strong voice, but whether he can effectively transfer the Nishad votes to his allies remains to be seen.”
The Decisive Factor
With 22 constituencies in the balance and both alliances deeply invested, the Nishad and Mallah votes could ultimately determine the direction of Bihar’s next government. The rivers that define their livelihoods may soon define the state’s political destiny as well.
Would you like me to format this for front-page newspaper publication — with a punchy subheadline, quote highlights, and visual segment tags (e.g., “Muzaffarpur to Mithilanchal: The Nishad Belt Votes”)?
Discover more from SD NEWS agency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.