NEW DELHI/ PATNA — As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections likely to be held later this year, a glaring reality remains that the Muslim community in Motihari and the greater Champaran region is still struggling to convert its population strength into political power. Muslims make up nearly 22 percent of the population in Motihari city according to the 2011 census, and are estimated to be around 34,000 in 2025. However, their political influence remains limited, with many of their concerns often overlooked in the electoral battle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Motihari earlier this week, where he announced development schemes worth Rs 7,217 crore under the Mission-Champaran initiative, reflects BJP’s continued effort to reinforce its political presence. While this may signal progress, for many Muslims in Motihari it is a reminder of their continued political marginalisation in a region where their votes have been overshadowed by strong polarisation favouring the BJP.
The BJP has established an impressive hold over the Champaran region. In the 2020 assembly elections, the NDA coalition won 17 out of 21 seats, with BJP alone securing 15. In East Champaran, the NDA won nine seats, of which BJP took eight, while the Mahagathbandhan coalition secured only three. In West Champaran, BJP won seven seats out of nine. This dominance comes despite the fact that many constituencies, including Dhaka, have substantial Muslim populations—up to 37 percent in Dhaka constituency alone.
This raises questions about the effectiveness of Muslim votes and the political strategies of parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Mahagathbandhan alliance, which rely heavily on the ‘Muslim-Yadav’ (MY) vote bank but have repeatedly failed to convert this into electoral success in Champaran.
Local analysts and community leaders suggest that the main reason for this marginalisation is the polarisation of votes along communal lines, which favours the BJP and its allies. A local political analyst, Abdul Rahman, said, ‘Despite being a large community, Muslims in Motihari and Champaran have been reduced to a political margin. The division and vote split among parties that claim to represent Muslims only help BJP retain its stronghold. Our voices are not heard where it matters.’
Another community leader, Farah Ansari, voiced her concern, stating, ‘We are 20 percent of the population, but there is no proportional representation in local or state politics. The ruling parties make promises before elections but our needs remain unaddressed. It is a cycle of neglect that we desperately want to break.’
Prime Minister Modi’s visit and the announcement of substantial development funds for Bihar are being seen by many as part of a calculated political strategy rather than a genuine effort to include all communities equally. Political expert Sanjay Mishra noted, ‘PM Modi’s visits to Motihari before elections have become routine. While the announcements of development projects are welcome, these are largely aimed at consolidating Hindu votes and strengthening the BJP base. Muslim communities continue to be on the sidelines of these development narratives.’
Indeed, the BJP’s electoral success in areas with significant Muslim populations suggests that the party’s campaign effectively divides the electorate, ensuring that Muslim votes do not coalesce strongly enough to challenge BJP dominance.
Muslim voters and leaders in Champaran express hope that the upcoming elections will bring change. Community elder and activist Mohammed Siddiqui said, ‘We want our community to be a real political force, not just a vote bank for others. We demand honest representation and development that addresses our needs — education, employment, and safety.’
He added, ‘Political parties should stop treating Muslim voters as mere numbers and start including us in decision-making processes. Until then, the pattern of marginalisation will continue.’
The political scene in Motihari and greater Champaran remains a complex one. Despite a sizeable Muslim population, political power and representation continue to elude the community, caught between polarised politics and electoral calculations that sideline their interests. As BJP strengthens its grip with repeated election wins and large-scale development announcements, the Muslim community remains eager for a change that reflects their true potential and importance in Bihar’s socio-political landscape.
