ThePrint CutTheClutter: Identity, welfarism, jobs: What’s on test in Bihar, how Tejashwi vs Nitish stack up & the PK factor
Nov 6, 2025
DK Singh, a political editor known for his expertise in Bihar’s complex dynamics, joins Sanya Dhingra, a ground reporter uncovering voter sentiment. Together, they explore the pivotal themes in Bihar’s elections, such as the power of social identity over ideology and the impact of welfare promises on voter expectations. They discuss persistent unemployment, the role of entrenched caste coalitions, and the influence of local strongmen in politics. Sanya shares vivid insights from Siwan, shedding light on how local dynamics shape electoral choices.
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Identity Trumps Ideology In Bihar
- Bihar's politics prioritize social identity and caste coalitions over ideology or individual charisma.
- Electoral outcomes depend on which social umbrella (e.g., Yadav-Muslim vs. EBCs-women-upper castes) each side builds.
Welfarescape Shapes Voter Choices
- Welfarism has expanded massively, with central and state giveaways reshaping voter incentives.
- Unemployment remains a major pain point that big promises (like jobs for families) cannot realistically fulfill.
Migration (Palayan) Becomes A Campaign Axis
- Prashant Kishore's new 'Palayan' narrative reframes migration as the central electoral issue.
- Migration (Palayan) highlights subsistence out-migration of over a million people and fuels political momentum.