Before the Bihar elections, Upendra Kushwaha addressed a rally in Patna on the martyrdom day of Jagdev Babu, sending a political message. He is trying to garner support from the Kushwaha community and backward classes to leverage seat negotiations within the NDA.
Bihar Politics: Political activity has intensified ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Upendra Kushwaha, the chief of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, is holding rallies and working to strengthen his political base. The rally organized at Patna's Miller Ground is considered significant as it was held on the martyrdom day of Shaheed leader Jagdev Prasad, who championed social justice in Bihar.
Social Justice and the Legacy of Jagdev Babu
Jagdev Prasad is referred to as the 'Lenin of Bihar'. He was a leader who amplified the voices of the poor, Dalits, and backward sections of society. He believed that ninety out of a hundred are exploited and that the rule of the ninety should be by the ninety. This ideology made him the foremost face of social justice. He was martyred by police bullets on September 5, 1974. Since then, this day is observed to remember his legacy and carry forward the fight for social justice.
Upendra Kushwaha's Effort to Garner Caste Support
Bihar's politics has always been rooted in caste equations. Upendra Kushwaha himself belongs to the Kushwaha community and is attempting to connect with the sentiments of this community. The Kushwaha community constitutes approximately 4.21% of Bihar's total population, numbering over 5.5 million. This community's influence is considered decisive in about 20 to 25 assembly seats in the state. This is precisely why Upendra Kushwaha is striving to consolidate the Kushwaha community to enhance his political strength.
Emphasis on Delimitation Reforms and Constitutional Rights
In the Patna rally, Upendra Kushwaha's primary focus was on delimitation reforms and constitutional rights. He emphasized that social justice will remain incomplete until backward classes, Dalits, and exploited sections receive political representation commensurate with their population. The presence of party workers from all districts of Bihar at this rally transformed it into a show of strength.
Seeking New Political Ground After Lok Sabha Defeat
After facing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Upendra Kushwaha secured a Rajya Sabha seat with the BJP's assistance. He is currently part of the NDA alliance with JDU and BJP. However, the seat-sharing formula has not yet been finalized. In this context, he aims to enhance his bargaining power through continuous rallies and displays of strength.
Significance of the Kushwaha Vote Bank
The Kushwaha community is politically considered part of the 'Lav-Kush' equation, which is based on the unity of the Yadav and Kushwaha communities. The NDA understands the importance of this vote bank, as its fragmentation during the Lok Sabha elections led to losses in several seats. Upendra Kushwaha now seeks to ensure that this vote bank remains united in his favor during the Assembly elections.
Jagdev Babu's Political Ideology
Jagdev Prasad held Master's degrees in Economics and Literature. He dedicated his entire life to the unity and rights of the Dalit, backward, and minority communities. He also served as the secretary of the Bihar Socialist Party and played a significant role in forming the state's first non-Congress government. He initiated 'Triveni Politics' by bringing together three OBC communities – Yadavs, Kurmis, and Koeris – which gave a new direction to Bihar's politics.
Nagmani vs. Upendra Kushwaha
Nagmani, the son of Jagdev Prasad, considers himself his political successor. However, Upendra Kushwaha also associates himself with Jagdev Babu's legacy, being from the Kushwaha community himself. This is why he has attempted to strengthen his political message this time by holding a rally on Jagdev Prasad's martyrdom day.
The battle in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections in alliance with the NDA is considered certain. However, seat distribution remains the biggest question. Upendra Kushwaha's endeavor is to demonstrate his importance within the alliance through rallies and public support, thereby staking a claim for more seats.
