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The Print
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
RJD has an EBC dream in Bihar. It'll take more than tickets & tokenism
Based on an analysis of caste-wise candidate nominations by the RJD and JDU, and their respective victories in the 2020 Bihar assembly election, I argue that the RJD needs to move beyond political appointments for the mobilisation of such communities. It also needs to focus on exclusive policies intended to empower EBCs. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to break the scepticism of the EBCs. So far, though, EBCs have shown an aversion toward the RJD. Instead, they have gravitated toward the JDU, now in alliance with the BJP, which mobilised its election machinery in Bihar immediately after winning the Delhi assembly election. The question now arises whether the RJD will succeed in its efforts to attract EBCs through the appointment of Mandal. As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections later this year, the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has appointed Mangani Lal Mandal as its new state president—the first time it has chosen someone who belongs to the Extremely Backward Classes, or EBCs, a voting bloc that comprises 113 castes and makes up 36 per cent of the state's population. Also Read: What's behind Modi govt's U-turn on caste census & how it targets Oppn ahead of crucial Bihar polls EBC aversion to RJD in 2020 polls Bihar is well known for caste-based political mobilisation. The caste background of candidates is an important indicator of how parties build their social coalitions. It also helps us to understand the support of different castes for various political parties. Let's take a look at the caste-wise candidate nominations and wins of the RJD and JDU in the 2020 Bihar assembly election. This analysis examines the caste composition of nominees and elected representatives from the RJD and JDU in the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, based on candidate data from media reports. The graph below shows that the RJD's highest number of candidates came from the Yadav community (58). After them, only three other groups—EBCs (19), Scheduled Castes (19), and Muslims (18)—had candidates in double digits. Seen as a whole, the RJD focused primarily on its traditional MY (Muslim-Yadav) base, followed by an attempt to bring in EBCs. However, its EBC candidates performed badly. Out of 19 nominated, only four won. In contrast, JDU's EBC candidates performed impressively. It nominated 17 EBC candidates, out of which 12 won. The party's overall ticket distribution was also not concentrated on any one social group. Seven social groups—Yadav (18), EBC (17), SC (16), Kurmi (15), Kushwaha (15), Muslim (11), and Bhumihar (10)—had candidates in double digits. It's worth noting, though, that the highest number of JDU candidates also came from the Yadavs. This nomination profile might be symbolic, but it also conveys a message that the party is not against the legitimate representation of any particular social group. Here, the RJD did not appear as above board, as it had nominated only one candidate from the Kurmi caste, which is the support base of the JDU. In short, the above comparative analysis reveals EBCs have largely steered clear of the RJD. Despite nominating a larger number of candidates from the group, only four of its 19 EBC candidates won, compared to 12 of JDU's 17. Also Read: ECI's voter verification drive in Bihar is tailor-made to keep Dalits, Muslims, EBCs out RJD's inadequate strategy It is often stated that Nitish Kumar has created a constituency of women, MBCs, and Mahadalits, and these social groups have gradually become a strong support base of the JDU. To break the social base of any political party, a rival typically deploys two strategies: ticket splitting and policy changes. The former means nominating candidates from those castes and communities, while the latter involves promising policies that benefit them. The RJD relied on the first strategy, nominating a high number of EBC candidates in the 2020 election. One may counter that the RJD also adopted the strategy of policy change by promising 10 lakh government jobs, from which EBCs would also potentially benefit. So why did EBCs not respond to such promises? One answer could be low educational attainment among EBCs and their limited ability to benefit from reservation policies. Across North Indian states, EBCs have demanded a sub-categorisation within OBC reservations, arguing that they are unable to compete with politically dominant OBC groups such as Yadavs and Kurmis. The BJP responded by appointing the Justice Rohini Committee to examine this demand. At the same time, welfare schemes introduced by the Narendra Modi government have also reached these communities. Because of its alliance with the BJP, the JDU has benefited from both strategies—ticket splitting and policy response—while opposition parties like the RJD have remained stuck on the former. This could partly explain the aversion of EBCs toward the RJD. In the upcoming election, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav is promising to extend the limit of reservation, along with the introduction of a domicile policy for government jobs. However, none of these policies are specifically targeted to address the grievances of EBCs. Unless the party does that, it would be a herculean task to break the aversion. To sum up, the RJD's attempt to expand its social coalition by adding EBCs to its MY base did not deliver encouraging results in the last election. Relying on ticket-splitting alone to mobilise these communities hasn't worked. The party now needs to explore mechanisms beyond candidate nomination. Offering specific welfare schemes could be one of them. Otherwise, it may just be staring at a repeat of 2020. Arvind Kumar is a visiting lecturer in Politics & International Relations at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. He tweets @arvind_kumar__. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nitish betrayed socialist ideals: RJD state chief
Madhubani: During his first visit to home district after assuming charge as the RJD state president, Mangani Lal Mandal on Saturday launched a scathing attack on CM Nitish Kumar and his govt. Addressing a large gathering of party leaders, MPs, MLAs and supporters at a reception event held near Rampatti Jail on Saturday, Mandal accused the Nitish-led govt of betraying the ideals of socialist icons such as Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur over the past two decades. He alleged that the govt had reduced marginalised communities, including mahadalits, dalits and extremely backward classes (EBCs) to mere vote banks, using deceptive policies and schemes while denying them dignity and rights. Mandal criticised the govt for rising crime, corruption and administrative oppression, claiming that the voices of ordinary people were being silenced and the issues of the poor overlooked. Praising RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , Mandal commended his efforts to unify society and bring marginalised groups into the mainstream. He accepted the party's mandate as a challenge, vowing to form a govt in 2025 that would represent the poor, labourers and oppressed communities. He added that the new administration would focus on employment, education, healthcare and the empowerment of weaker sections.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
RJD appoints Mandal as state president to bolster EBC reach
Patna: Former MP Mangani Lal Mandal was on Sunday elected unopposed as the new state president of the (RJD) in Bihar. He succeeds Jagadanand Singh, a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who served two consecutive terms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mandal's election became a formality after he was the sole nominee to file papers for the post on Saturday. RJD's state election officer, Tanveer Hasan, declared his election in the presence of assistant election officers Ashok Yadav, Dev Kishun Thakur and Sarika Paswan. "Mandal submitted four sets of nomination papers as the only candidate for the state president's post. His nomination was found valid during verification," said Hasan. A formal announcement will be made on June 19 at Gyan Bhawan after the state council ratifies the decision. Speaking to the reporters, Mandal pledged to unite all sections of society, especially the oppressed, marginalised, Dalits, tribals and minorities, through the RJD's platform. He called on party leaders to take the message of to the masses and ensure effective outreach at every level. "I will work to ensure everyone gets their due rights and respect. It's important to reach every household," Mandal said. His appointment is viewed as a strategic move by the RJD to strengthen its outreach to the extremely backward classes (EBCs), who make up 36% of Bihar's population. Party leaders noted that Mandal brings extensive organisational experience and has worked alongside socialist stalwart Karpoori Thakur. A former MP from Jhanjharpur, Mandal was until recently the national vice-president of JD(U) and holds major influence in the Mithila-Kosi region.
India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"He has played a big role in taking socialist politics forward": Tejashwi Yadav on Mangani Lal Mandal's appointment as Bihar RJD chief
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 14 (ANI): Mangani Lal Mandal has been appointed as the new Bihar RJD President. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said Mandal is an experienced politician who played a big role in moving socialist politics forward. Speaking to reporters, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, 'He is an experienced it as a Rajya Sabha MP or Lok Sabha MP. He raised the voices of the people... He has worked with my father for many years. He has played a big role in taking socialist politics forward. We are happy that Mangani Lal Mandal gave his nomination as state president of the party.' Targeting the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, he said that the RJD raises people's issues, and people want a change, as the government has failed in all departments. 'Our party raises people's issues, and we move forward together. This time, we will take Bihar forward and build a new Bihar. People want change. This government has failed in all departments, and their own NITI Aayog report proves it,' he said. Mangani Lal Mandal has replaced Jagadanand Singh as the new Bihar RJD chief. Meanwhile, the row over RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's birthday celebrations continues. Leaders allege that the RJD supremo insulted Dr BR Ambedkar during the celebrations. Speaking to ANI, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, 'It is clearly visible that Lalu Prasad Yadav is trying to become a king and murder democracy. The way Babasaheb Ambedkar's photo was insulted clearly indicates that Lalu Yadav is trying to insult Babasaheb Ambedkar.' On Lalu Yadav cutting his 78th birthday cake with a sword, he said, 'This is criminal mentality. Today, he cut his cake with a sword; when he comes into power, he will cut it with an AK-47.' These political developments come while the Assembly Elections are expected in Bihar later this year. However, the Election Commission has not announced the official dates. (ANI)
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mangani Lal Mandal set to become RJD state president
Patna: Former JD(U) national vice-president Mangani Lal Mandal is set to be formally elected as the seventh state president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on June 19. He was the sole candidate to file nomination papers for the post on Saturday in the presence of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, former chief minister Rabri Devi, Pataliputra MP Misa Bharti and leader of the opposition in state assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Mandal, who hails from the Dhanuk caste within the extremely backward classes (EBC), represents a community that constitutes 36% of Bihar's population. His elevation is widely seen as a strategic move by the RJD to consolidate EBC support ahead of the election. He rejoined hands with Lalu only in Jan this year. Mandal will be the first RJD state chief from the EBC community. RJD national assistant election officer Chittaranjan Gagan said Mandal's nomination papers would be scrutinised on Sunday. Tejashwi said Mandal had long been associated with his father, Lalu Prasad. "We are all happy that today Mangani Lal Mandal has filed his nomination for the post of state president. As an associate of Karpoori Thakur, he has played an important role in promoting social politics," Tejashwi said. Mandal had earlier represented Jhanjharpur in the Lok Sabha and has served as a member of both the Rajya Sabha and the Bihar legislative council. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo He was also a minister in the RJD-led govt in Bihar. He succeeds Jagadanand Singh, who had asked the party leadership to relieve him from the post citing poor health. Mandal is expected to help strengthen the RJD's influence in the districts like Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Muzaffarpur, areas where the Mahagathbandhan performed poorly in the 2020 assembly elections, winning only 13 out of 41 seats. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
