4 hours ago
Bihar's Kingmakers: The High-Stakes Battle for the 36% EBC Vote Bank
This special report unpacks the critical role of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in Bihar's political landscape, a demographic that constitutes 36% of the state's population. It traces the history of the EBC classification back to former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and examines the current political tug-of-war between alliances led by Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav to win over this crucial vote bank. According to the report's analysis, 'clearly, the extremely backward classes, EBCs, are kingmakers in Bihar politics because of their numerical strength and fragmented identity.' The report details how the Patna High Court struck down the state's 2023 attempt to increase EBC reservation from 18% to 25%, a move that exceeded the Supreme Court's 50% quota cap. It also scrutinizes the specific electoral promises made by the NDA and Mahagathbandhan, from financial assistance to legislative protections, as they vie for the allegiance of these 112 castes who are considered decisive swing voters.
