As Bihar prepares for elections, with the voter list recently revised, the political landscape is heating up, particularly around the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators. The BJP is strategically leveraging this issue to challenge the Congress and RJD, focusing its efforts on the Seemanchal region.
Seemanchal, bordering West Bengal, holds a significant Muslim population of approximately 47%, significantly higher than the state average of 17.7%. The BJP’s renewed interest in this area follows the AIMIM’s success in the last election, where it won five seats.
Why is Seemanchal a key area for the BJP?
The high concentration of the Muslim population in Seemanchal, as revealed by the 2011 census, makes it a focal point. This region, comprising four districts – Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar – accounts for 24 out of Bihar’s 243 assembly seats. Historically, the RJD-Congress alliance has enjoyed strong support from the Muslim and Yadav communities here.
The unexpected entry of AIMIM in the previous election, winning five seats, split the opposition vote, indirectly benefitting the BJP, which emerged as the largest party in the area.
Infiltration as a central theme in the Bihar elections
The Prime Minister has recently criticized the Mahagathbandhan allies, accusing them of protecting foreign infiltrators. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has followed this up by warning that the opposition’s ‘vote rights yatra’ aims to safeguard the voting rights of infiltrators.
This is not the first instance where the BJP has raised the issue of illegal infiltration during state elections. Previous instances include Assam and West Bengal, where the BJP has accused the ruling parties of appeasing Bangladeshis, aiming to create a vote bank.
Precedent in other states: Delhi and Jharkhand
The BJP has previously campaigned strongly against illegal immigration in Delhi and Jharkhand. In Delhi, the focus was on Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants, while in Jharkhand, the BJP accused the government of turning the state into a haven for infiltrators. These campaigns have been marked by strong rhetoric from key BJP leaders.
Efforts to polarize Muslim and Hindu votes
The BJP’s strategy appears to be aimed at polarizing votes along religious lines. The Prime Minister has emphasized that supporting infiltrators poses a threat to the tribal population and the nation. This narrative, which is now central to the Bihar elections, is designed to consolidate Hindu votes while isolating the Muslim community.
The Bihar elections, likely scheduled for October-November 2025, will see the NDA, Mahagathbandhan, and Jan Suraaj Party contesting. By raising the infiltration issue, the BJP hopes to polarize votes and gain an advantage.