Not Just Chhath: Emerging As A Key Voting Bloc, Here's What Delhi's Purvanchali Population Has In Mind

Last Updated:January 30, 2025, 07:00 IST

The mention of the Purvanchali voters by both the BJP and AAP is proof of their growing clout in Delhi

Rough estimates by parties suggest that Purvanchalis—original inhabitants of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP—comprise a sixth of Delhi's population today. Electorally, they hold sway over at least 20 assembly seats like Burari, Deoli, Sangam Vihar, Uttam Nagar, Dwarka, Kiradi, and Vikaspuri. Representational pic/Shutterstock

Purvanchali voters are once again at the centre of the electoral storm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in the national capital, accused the Aam Aadmi Party of forcing people to celebrate Chhath surrounded by garbage. Chhath—worshipping the sun god and the river—is the biggest festival for the people of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

“This is fraud and shamelessness. They want to make people struggle for water and want Purvanchalis to do Chhathhi Maiya’s puja surrounded by garbage," the Prime Minister said.

Courted by both BJP and AAP

The mention of the Purvanchali voters by both the BJP and AAP is proof of their growing clout in Delhi. Retired Kirori Mal College principal Professor Bhim Singh tells News18 that the February 5 assembly elections are finally a recognition of the contribution of Purvanchalis in the national capital. “Decades ago I had launched a Purvanchal political forum because it used to upset me that ‘Bihari’ was used as an abuse in Delhi. The top IAS, IPS, judges, academics, and university toppers all came from Bihar, and yet we were treated with disdain. Most who came from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Purvanchal were from modest backgrounds and came to Delhi purely on merit and talent. Today finally the community’s contribution is being recognised," he says.

Rough estimates by parties suggest that Purvanchalis—original inhabitants of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP—comprise a sixth of Delhi’s population today. Electorally, they hold sway over at least 20 assembly seats like Burari, Deoli, Sangam Vihar, Uttam Nagar, Dwarka, Kiradi, and Vikaspuri. From Somnath Bharti in Malviya Nagar to Vinay Mishra in Dwarka, AAP has fielded Purvanchalis in at least 10 seats. BJP has trusted allies like JD(U) in Burari and LJP(R) in Deoli to pull in the Purvanchali voters. Its own Purvanchali face, MP Manoj Tiwari, is in huge demand for campaigning.

Are Purvanchalis a homogeneous bloc?

Chhath Puja and unclean Yamuna are the common refrains whenever the Purvanchali voter is mentioned in the Delhi electoral discourse. But does this issue bind the entire Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP diaspora? When CNN-News18 put the question to a group in Deoli, the answers were diverse.

Manoj Kumar, originally from Munger in Bihar, feels the binding factor for Purvanchalis is the urge to be mainstreamed. “I have been in this city for 20 years, yet I have not managed to buy a house here. Tenants are not treated with the same respect. We don’t get the benefits of free electricity or water. It is a common sentiment amongst all my friends," he says.

Snehalata, a slum dweller, came to Deoli from Ayodhya 30 years ago. She says Purvanchalis are not a homogeneous group. “Chhath Puja is important. But even more important is the need to have clean water, proper sanitation, and sewage systems," she says.

This was a commonly heard refrain on the other end of the city too. AK Jha runs a Litti-Chokha stall in north Delhi’s Burari. The constituency has exploded over the last 20 years, with the main road bursting with traffic and 3-4-storey buildings cropping up all across. “I come from Chhapra. I had a job in a private company, but they moved to Ghaziabad. Travelling so far was not possible, so I opened this Litti stall last year. I would be happy if something were done to make my business run smoothly. Have to bribe to keep this thela running,’ Jha says even as he proudly declares that people who are not originally from Bihar or Jharkhand are his steadiest customers. “Litti has gone global," Jha declares, smiling.

Next door, Kavita is struggling to keep her food stall afloat. “I have not received a single penny from the government in my account. They are promising Rs 2,100 to 2,500 if voted to power…I am not hopeful that they will give the money if they win. But this is the real issue: price rise and anything done to minimise the impact of inflation," she says.

At Sarai Kale Khan, Jaya’s concerns too are those of basic amenities. A cook by profession, Jaya religiously does Chhath every year. She has no complaint about the ghat where she does the pooja. A mother of 2 young girls, her biggest concern is their safety and security.

“I voted for AAP last time because I felt they were doing something. After the Nirbhaya case, I was scared to let my girls go out. Things had improved after the hanging of the accused. The schools also had improved. But I haven’t made up my mind about who I should vote for this time since all my colony friends say BJP is better," Jaya says.

Demand for basic amenities joins Purvanchalis with other communities in Delhi. BJP hopes to drive a wedge by reminding this support group of AAP that Arvind Kejriwal has “accused Bihar and UP migrants of being fake voters". AAP, on its part, has tried to turn the tide by accusing BJP-led Haryana of “poisoning" the Yamuna. The Purvanchali voters are closely watching, and their choice could impact the outcome of the Delhi polls.

News elections Not Just Chhath: Emerging As A Key Voting Bloc, Here's What Delhi's Purvanchali Population Has In Mind