The Mithilanchal region of Bihar has become the epicenter of political discussions ahead of the state's legislative assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest faction of the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has turned its attention to Mithilanchal. To kick off their campaign for the Bihar elections, the party plans a rally at Jhanjharpur in this area, featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled for April 24. Why is every party focusing on Mithilanchal? We explore this in our Bihar series today.
Locally cherished for its picturesque ponds and lotus blooms, Mithilanchal is synonymous with sweet-tongued residents who savor paan. It is the birthplace and workplace of political veterans like former Chief Ministers Bhagwat Jha Azad, Lalit Narayan Mishra, Jagannath Mishra, and Vinodanand Jha. Despite its illustrious history, it is considered economically backward. The districts of Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, and Saharsa, all part of Mithilanchal, account for 60 assembly seats—nearly 25% of Bihar's total 243 assembly seats.
A Historical Stronghold for RJD
In Mithilanchal's political scene, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) once reigned supreme under Lalu Yadav. Although predominantly Brahmin, the region's electorate includes a significant number of voters from 55 backward and extremely backward castes, collectively known as Panchpania. After the rise of the NDA and Nitish Kumar in the 2005 Bihar elections, the area became a JD(U) stronghold. In the 2020 assembly elections, the NDA clinched over 40 out of 60 seats in Mithilanchal, despite RJD's strategy of nurturing a 'Jhaji' (Brahmin) and 'Haji' (Muslim) coalition by sending Professor Manoj Kumar Jha and Ahmad Ashfaque Karim to the Rajya Sabha.
An Enigma for the BJP
Despite the Brahmins being the BJP's core voters, the region has often mystified the lotus-emblazoned party. While BJP's performance with JD(U)'s alliance has been robust, it appears lackluster without it. During the 2015 Bihar election, JD(U) competed as part of the Grand Alliance, leading to BJP winning merely three out of 30 assembly seats in the Darbhanga division without Nitish Kumar. Subsequently, the BJP has focused intensely on this area, with the central government addressing issues like transportation, health, and flood management.
Read more: Mithilanchal as a Separate State: A Voice from 122 Years Ago—Reality or Myth?
The central government gifted Mithilanchal with rail projects and initiated an airport in Darbhanga. In consideration of Mithila, efforts also included amending the constitution to incorporate Maithili, granting GI tag to Makhana, and forming a Makhana Board. Recently, seven ministers from the BJP quota, including three from Mithila, were part of the Nitish cabinet expansion. In total, the state's government includes nine ministers from Mithilanchal.
Read more: A Grand Temple for Goddess Sita in Mithila: Announced by Amit Shah in Ahmedabad
Rabri's Separate State Strategy
The opposition RJD understands that diminishing the NDA's influence in Mithila is essential for Tejashwi Yadav's aspirations to become Chief Minister. To disrupt JD(U)'s momentum, Rabri Devi, opposition leader in the Legislative Council, has advocated for a separate Mithilanchal state. By reviving this century-old demand, Rabri Devi has tapped into the emotional pulse of Mithilanchal. How much political leverage will RJD gain in the election from this move? It's a scenario worth watching.
