Political Mobilization on Caste and Development in Bihar: Some Observations

This article attempts to analyze the different dynamics of politics in the past two decades of the contemporary Bihar. The prominence of caste factor and development is seen in the political mobilization during this period. This assertive phase of politics in Bihar also brings regional parties with individual popular leaders as major political force putting the major political parties to the margins. The caste-community combinations of OBCs, Dalits and minorities influenced electoral performance of political parties heavily. The shifting alliances among these political parties indicate that the development planks have influenced to certain extent whereas caste factors have been playing a predominant role.