The chief minister signals a shift towards the Luv-Kush strategy, leaving Muslims questioning their political representation and influence in state politics
NEW DELHI — Political activity across Bihar has intensified ahead of next month’s assembly elections, with all major parties unveiling their candidate lists. Among them, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal–United (JD-U) has released its first list of 57 candidates — but notably, none of them are Muslim. This has raised questions about the future political role of Muslims in Bihar.
In 2020, the JD-U had fielded three Muslim candidates — Faraz Fatmi, son of UPA minister Ali Ashraf Fatmi, from Darbhanga; Anjum Ara from Dumraon; and Mohammad Jamal from Kanti. However, all three were defeated. This time, Nitish Kumar has chosen three new faces: Ishwar Mandal in Darbhanga Rural, Rahul Singh in Dumraon, and Ajit Kumar in Kanti, effectively excluding Muslims from the first phase of ticket allocation.
Local political analyst Shams Aziz explained the context: “Nitish Kumar has worked closely with the Muslim community in the past, but their support has not matched his expectations. In 2014, he relied on Muslim votes, yet in the Lok Sabha elections, they overwhelmingly supported the Grand Alliance. This has clearly disappointed him.”
Nitish Kumar appears to be doubling down on the Luv-Kush equation, a political strategy focusing on the Koeri and Kurmi communities. More than 21 tickets have been allocated to these castes alone, indicating a strategic pivot. “Nitish Kumar is clearly aiming to replicate the 2005 election formula, relying heavily on caste-based support rather than minority votes,” Aziz added.
This shift comes amid a steady decline in Nitish Kumar’s political base. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the JD-U won only two seats, while the 2015 assembly elections saw a reduction from 120 to 71 seats. In 2020, the party’s alliance with the NDA saw Muslims largely voting against them, leading to just 43 seats and no Muslim candidates from JD-U being elected to the assembly.
Speaking on the record, Shams Aziz highlighted the emotional toll: “Nitish Kumar’s pain was visible after the 2020 elections. He had contributed significantly to the welfare of the Muslim community, but not a single Muslim leader from his party could reach the assembly. This has now led him to distance himself politically from Muslims.”
Muslim community leaders have expressed disappointment. Mohammad Rizwan, a social worker from Darbhanga, said, “We have long supported Nitish Kumar because of his work for the Muslim community. But it is disheartening to see no Muslim candidate in the first list. Our representation and voices in politics are being ignored.”
Similarly, Anjum Fatima, a teacher and local activist, remarked, “The exclusion of Muslims from the initial list sends a negative message. Muslims have contributed to Bihar’s social and economic progress, yet political recognition seems limited. It is unfair and disheartening.”
Political observers note that while the JD-U may still announce candidates for remaining constituencies, the message from this first list is significant. Nitish Kumar’s strategy appears focused on consolidating upper-backward caste votes while distancing himself from Muslim support, a move that could reshape Bihar’s political landscape.
As the state prepares for the elections, the exclusion of Muslims from the first candidate list has become a topic of intense debate. While some argue it is a tactical political move, many Muslim voters feel sidelined. The coming weeks will reveal whether Nitish Kumar reconsiders including Muslim candidates or continues to pursue a strategy that sidelines the community.
Local journalist Shams Aziz concluded, “Bihar’s Muslim community has been a consistent political participant, yet the first JD-U list ignores their importance. It remains to be seen whether Nitish Kumar values their contribution or prioritises caste equations over inclusive representation.”
