PM Modi started the Bihar Election 2025 campaign from Karpuri village of Samastipur. Its aim is to tap the 36% extremely backward (EBC) vote bank of the state through Jannayak Karpoori Thakur. In the rally he also targeted Lalu family.
Patna: The election bugle has sounded for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the lead to give edge to the election campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Prime Minister started his first rally on Friday from Karpuri village in Samastipur district. This decision is not just a tribute but is being considered as a big political move to target the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), the biggest vote bank of the state politics.
Why is the beginning from Karpoori Gram special?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival at Karpoori village in Samastipur and garlanding the statue of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur gives a clear message in the politics of Bihar. Karpoori Thakur, considered the messiah of social justice, belonged to the Extremely Backward Class (EBC). According to the recent caste census data, EBCs are the largest community in Bihar with 36.02% of the population. Voters of this community are considered ‘silent voters’ who have a direct impact on the results of Bihar.
By starting the campaign from Karpoori village, PM Modi has given the message that the NDA government is carrying forward the ideology of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur and the welfare of the EBC community is its priority. Let us tell you that on January 23, 2024, it was announced to give ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Karpoori Thakur, due to which the political equation of Bihar changed rapidly. Only after this decision, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar switched politics for the fifth time and once again joined hands with BJP and became the Chief Minister for the ninth time.
PM Modi also mentioned Karpoori Thakur in his speech and said, “Our government considers Jananayak Karpoori Thakur as an inspiration. NDA has made the path of social justice shown by Karpoori Thakur the basis of good governance.” He reiterated the need to work for the welfare of the poor, Dalits, backward and extremely backward people.
Direct attack on Lalu family
While addressing the public meeting in Samastipur, PM Modi fiercely targeted the Lalu family. Attacking RJD on the issue of ‘Jungle Raj’, he said that Bihar had got freedom from Jungle Raj in the month of October 2005 itself.
Accusing the Lalu family of being on bail in a scam worth thousands of crores, PM Modi said, “These people have even stolen the title of Jannayak. These people have played with the future of Bihar.” He claimed that RJD hindered the development of Bihar during the previous UPA government and took revenge from the people of Bihar for 10 years by making Nitish Kumar the chief minister.
All eyes on EBC vote bank
In Bihar politics, EBC voters have been inclined towards Nitish Kumar and NDA for a long time. In 2005, Nitish Kumar ended the 15-year rule of Lalu-Rabri by exploiting this vote bank.
Here, the Grand Alliance (INDIA) is also trying to break into this vote bank. RJD has made a move to win over the backward class to its fold by making Mangni Lal Mandal, who has been in politics since the era of Karpoori Thakur, as the state president of the party. However, PM Modi’s visit to Karpoori village gives a clear indication to this community that their real well-wisher is NDA.