As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections, Dalit voters across the state appear divided in their political preferences &mdash; some backing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar&rsquo;s leadership, while others lean toward opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav.
In Muzaffarpur&rsquo;s Pokhraira locality, where about 15 Dalit families reside, 45-year-old bicycle mechanic Raghunath Ram is firm in his support for Kumar. 
His friend, however, believes the community will rally behind Yadav this time. 
The split mirrors the wider fragmentation among Scheduled Caste voters in Bihar.
At Jhitkahiya Road, Jagat Ram, a farm laborer working on Bhumihar-owned fields, lauds Kumar for improving infrastructure and safety. 
Yet, he says, &ldquo;Our people will decide together a few days before polling.&rdquo;
The 243-member Bihar assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.
According to Manindra Thakur, professor at the Centre for Political Studies, JNU, the NDA&rsquo;s structure appeals to a broader range of caste groups than the Grand Alliance. 
&ldquo;Nitish Kumar has projected himself as a leader of Mahadalits. HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi attracts Manjhi votes, while Chirag Paswan represents the Paswan community. The Grand Alliance, on the other hand, largely relies on Muslim and Yadav votes,&rdquo; he explained.
In several Dalit enclaves or tolas, residents credit Kumar for better roads, electricity, and law and order. 
&ldquo;Earlier, women had to return before sunset. Now we feel safe,&rdquo; said Dheeraj Paswan of Marwan village.
However, the opposition alliance is banking on anti-incumbency and frustration over unemployment, poor rural healthcare, and limited opportunities. 
&ldquo;Kumar has ruled for nearly 20 years. In a democracy, change is necessary. If you keep baking one side of a roti, it will burn,&rdquo; said Sudam Majhi, a shopkeeper in Bihar Sharif.
A survey by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) paints a complex picture. 
Except for the Mushahar, Valmiki, and Pasi communities, other Mahadalit sub-castes like Rajwar, Dhobi, Dusadh (Paswan), and Chamar expressed dissatisfaction with Kumar&rsquo;s governance.
The survey found 56% of Rajwars, 50% of Dhobis, 56% of Chamars, and 57% of other SCs rated Kumar&rsquo;s performance as unsatisfactory. 
Overall, only 45.46% of Dalits were satisfied with his work, while 48.4% were not.
Regionally, the Grand Alliance fared better among Dalit respondents &mdash; in Kosi (72.3%), Mithilanchal (43%), Simanchal (43%), Bhojpur (54%), and Champaran-Magadh-Patliputra regions.
Ashok Bharti, NACDAOR&rsquo;s chairperson, said, &ldquo;Many Dalits feel neglected. Schemes benefiting SCs have been withdrawn, atrocities have increased, and development hasn&rsquo;t reached Dalit communities.&rdquo;
Seeking to attract Dalit voters, the Congress appointed Rajesh Ram, a Dalit MLA, as its Bihar unit chief. In a recent post, Ram declared, 
&ldquo;Dalits will not be suppressed. Now the revolution will happen. Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Constitution, Jai Congress.&rdquo;
Despite this outreach, the NDA&rsquo;s strong Dalit support remains evident. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it won five of Bihar&rsquo;s six reserved seats. 
In 2020, the NDA secured 21 of 38 SC-reserved assembly constituencies, while both alliances won one ST-reserved seat each.
Regardless of who wins, Dalit empowerment remains an unfinished chapter in Bihar&rsquo;s story. 
Amid signs of progress like pucca houses, many Dalit tolas still bear the imprint of poverty &mdash; thatched roofs, muddy courtyards, and villagers engaged in manual labor &mdash; underscoring the continuing struggle for dignity and development.

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October 26, 2025 | 17:39 IST