Bihar election results: NDA stuns Mahagathbandhan in Muslim dominated seats; JD(U) surges
NEW DELHI: Early trends of the Bihar assembly election results on Friday indicated significant gains for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in several Muslim-dominated seats. According to the initial trends, the NDA appears on track to secure at least 16 such seats. Chief minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) seems to have benefited the most within the alliance, gaining around eight more seats compared to the 2020 assembly polls. Additionally, Chirag Paswan’s LJP (RV) is leading in six seats with sizeable Muslim voter populations. On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan has struggled to convert votes despite campaigning heavily on employment and a new chief ministerial face. As per the latest trends, the RJD is losing at least seven Muslim-dominated seats it had won in the 2020 assembly elections, while Congress is trailing in four such seats it previously held. In 2020, the RJD had won 18 of these seats, and Congress had secured six. Historically, Muslims have supported secular alliances. They ensure community members vote for parties claiming to be inclusive. The 2022 Bihar survey showed Muslims make up 17.7% of population and nearly 80% Muslim votes went to MGB in 2015 and 77% in 2020. Meanwhile, the NDA alliance has taken decisive leads across the state, with the Mahagathbandhan trailing. According to the latest numbers, the NDA crossed the majority mark early in the day, with both the BJP and JD(U) delivering strong performances. The Mahagathbandhan (MGB) remains behind, with the RJD performing better than its ally Congress, though still unable to match the NDA’s spread. The RJD, despite the MGB’s overall deficit, continues to rank among the top individual parties in several seats. Jan Suraaj, however, is not appearing prominently in the early seat trends, and its vote share—where visible—remains marginal, having little impact on close contests. The counting operations are being supervised by 243 Returning Officers and an equal number of Counting Observers appointed by the Election Commission. More than 18,000 counting agents representing various candidates are present at the centres to monitor the process closely. Entry into counting centres is strictly limited to individuals with valid passes, and the use of mobile phones inside counting halls is fully prohibited. The election saw participation from over 7 crore voters who cast their ballots to decide the fate of both the ruling NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. Polling was held in two phases, on November 6 and 11. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BSP Plans Muslim-Dalit Outreach in Western UP, Mayawati to Address Noida Rally on December 6
Two months after holding a major rally in Lucknow that stirred political activity across Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is now focusing on specific regions and voter groups where it hopes to regain lost ground. The party is planning to begin its Muslim Dalit outreach in western UP, with a public meeting likely to be held in Noida on December 6. Party sources said BSP chief Mayawati will attend the event as the main speaker. Senior party leaders visited the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida on Wednesday to review preparations. While officials avoided sharing details, they confirmed that planning for the event is underway. According to insiders, the gathering is designed to reconnect with Dalit and Muslim voters, two communities that have historically formed a crucial support base for the BSP. Party workers and supporters from eight divisions of western Uttar Pradesh are expected to attend. Mayawati is likely to give them directions on how to win back voters the BSP lost after 2012, when its political decline in the state began. The Dalit and Muslim bhaichara (brotherhood) committees, formed to strengthen ties between the two communities, are expected to play a key role in this campaign. Western UP has long been significant for the BSP because it has a strong presence of Jatav Dalits, the party’s core supporters, and a large Muslim population. The success of the BSP SP alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections also reflected this. Out of the 10 seats BSP won in that election, four were in western UP, including Nagina, Saharanpur, Amroha, and Bijnor, all constituencies with a strong Muslim Dalit voter mix. The date of the upcoming event, December 6, marks the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which the BSP observes nationwide as one of its three key annual events. The other two are Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14 and the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram on October 9. Starting from December 6, the party is expected to hold a series of public meetings in different parts of Uttar Pradesh to assess its electoral prospects and strengthen its grassroots network. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BSP plans to woo Dalit-Muslim with public meeting in Noida
Lucknow: Two months into holding a state-level rally in Lucknow on Oct 9 and creating political waves, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has now set its eyes on specific combinations of voters and regions where these combinations dominate politics. The party will start with an outreach of Muslim-Dalit (M-D) voters in west UP and may hold a public meeting in Noida on Dec 6 to tap into the vote base. Sources in the party said that party national president Mayawati will be the chief guest at the event. Senior party leaders on Wednesday visited the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida for inspection. Though some of them whom TOI contacted did not divulge much, they agreed that the planning is underway, thus lending credence to the information shared by insiders that the event has been designed to specifically reach out to Dalit and Muslim voters. Party cadres and supporters from eight divisions of west UP may be present at the gathering. They will get directions from Mayawati on how to bring back the voters that the party lost in the region after 2012, since when its downfall in UP began. The Dalit and Muslim bhaichara committees, which the party formed to woo Muslims and Dalits in UP to its side, are also relevant in west UP. Jatav, the most dominant sub-caste of Dalits, and BSP’s core voters, are also concentrated in west UP. Evidence of this was the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when BSP contested in alliance with the Samajwadi Party in UP and won 10 seats. Four of these seats were in west UP, which were Nagina, Saharanpur, Amroha, and Bijnor. Each has a formidable combination of Dalit and Muslim voters. The party has scheduled the event for Dec 6 as it is the death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar and one of the three annual events observed by the party nationally. The other two occasions are the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar on April 14, and death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram on Oct 9. Beginning Dec 6, there may be a series of public meetings by the party in different regions of UP. These events will help the party analyse possibilities in different regions. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CPI to hold nation-wide protest on Nov 18 on crimes against women minorities Dalits
New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) The Communist Party of India will hold a nation-wide protest on November 18 on issues of equality and justice, party General Secretary D Raja said, claiming that atrocities against women, Dalits and minorities are increasing. The Left party would hold demonstrations across the country to highlight issues related to incidents of crimes against women, Dalits and minorities. “Atrocities against these sections which are already vulnerable are increasing. Even a Supreme Court justice observed that women are the largest minority in the country,” Raja told PTI. He was referring to an observation by Justice B V Nagarathna of the top court, who observed that women who form 48.44 per cent of the country’s population are the largest minority in India, while hearing a petition on ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ — a law for providing reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies. “India is a secular, democratic republic… But the way minorities are attacked, it is challenging the idea of India,” Raja said. “To uphold Constitutional principles and ideas of social justice and equality, our party has given this call for a protest across the country on November 18,” he said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Telangana: Portfolio shift triggers Dalit anger as Azharuddin gets Minorities Welfare
The Congress government’s decision to reassign the Minorities Welfare portfolio from Dalit minister Adluri Laxman Kumar to Mohammed Azharuddin has triggered criticism and raised concerns over representation. The reshuffle has sparked speculation and discontent within party circles and beyond. Hyderabad: The Congress government’s approach towards the Dalit community came under scrutiny on Tuesday after Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar was stripped of the Minorities Welfare portfolio, which was handed over to Mohammed Azharuddin. Laxman Kumar, inducted into the cabinet on June 8 this year, was allocated SC, ST and Minorities Welfare portfolios. Azharuddin was offered a cabinet berth on October 31 and, after three days of suspense, he was allotted Minorities Welfare, held by Laxman Kumar, and the Public Enterprises portfolio held by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar elections 2025: Tejashwi Yadav CONFIRMS deputy CM from Muslim, Dalit community, says, ‘everyone will get fair chance…’
Ahead of Bihar elections, Mahagathbandhan CM face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has confirmed that if they come to power after winning elections, there will be multiple deputy CM including one from Muslim community. Ahead of Bihar elections, Mahagathbandhan CM face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has confirmed that if they come to power after winning elections, there will be multiple deputy CM including one from Muslim community. In an interview with India Today, Tejashwi Yadav responded, “Yes, definitely,’ when asked will there be a Deputy CM from Muslim community. Muslim community constitutes nearly 17% of the electorate and could play a decisive role in the formation of next government in Bihar. During the announcement of Tejashwi Yadav as CM face for Mahagathbandhan Alliance, Mukesh Sahani was named as the deputy CM face. Mukesh Sahani ‘Son of Mallah’ belongs to the Extremely Backward Class. EBCs comprise 30% of Bihar’s voters.Following this, demand of Muslim deputy CM were raised. What did Tejashwi Yadav Said? RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav confirmed that there will multiple deputy CM. He said, ‘The day this announcement was made, Ashok Gehlot ji had said that if Mukesh Sahani would be made Deputy Chief Minister, there would also be others. The concerns raised by various sections will be addressed.’ He also said, ‘Yes’, when asked if there will be deputy CM from two of the major communities from Bihar, Muslims and Dalits. ‘We will take everyone along, and everyone will get a fair chance of representation, ‘ he added. Bihar elections 2025 Both Mahagathbandhan and NDA have released their Manifesto for the upcoming polls. NDA in Bihar released their manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’ in Patna on Friday. Few days earlier, the Mahagathbandhan has released its manifesto, Tejashwi ka Prann. The first phase of the Bihar Assembly polls will take place on November 6, and the second phase will happen on November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. This upcoming electoral contest will be between the NDA, led by the BJP, and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is also contesting on all 243 seats in this high-stake battle. Vanshika Tyagi Courtesy : DNA India Note: This news is originally published on https:/dnaindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati reveals 2027 election strategy to strengthen BSP base:Focuses on Dalit-Muslim unity, organisational revival, and grassroots voter mobilisation to counter SP-BJP dominance in UP
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has outlined her detailed roadmap for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Chairing the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting herself for the first time, she projected a winning combination of 20% Dalit and 19% Muslim voters, positioning the BSP as a stronger alternative to the BJP and Samajwadi Party (SP). In her address, Mayawati emphasised that while the SP’s traditional Yadav vote base stands at only 8%, even with complete Muslim support, it forms just 27% of the vote share, insufficient to unseat the BJP. She contrasted this with BSP’s 2007 victory, when the party won power by combining Dalit votes with limited Muslim support. According to her, unlike the SP, which “uses fear of the BJP to secure Muslim votes,” the BSP believes in offering genuine representation and development. 5 Key takeaways from the meeting Mayawati personally chaired the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting for the first time since the BSP’s inception. Muslim members were seated in the front rows, signalling respect and inclusion, while other office-bearers sat behind. The committee was reconstituted after being dissolved post-2017. A target was set to connect 100 prominent Muslim faces from each assembly constituency. Monthly performance reviews of the committee will take place on the 20th of every month. Message of respect and representation The meeting was attended by Mayawati, BSP national coordinator and nephew Akash Anand, and general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra. By giving Muslims front-row seats, Mayawati symbolically conveyed that the community would receive honour and prominence in the party structure. The committee, which had been inactive since 2017, is being rebuilt with two conveners per division, one Dalit and one Muslim, across all 18 divisions. A similar structure will be replicated at the assembly and booth levels. BSP leaders were also provided a list of 100 key development projects for Muslims implemented during Mayawati’s four terms as Chief Minister. The list will be circulated during local meetings to remind voters of BSP’s governance record. Connecting voters through SIR Mayawati instructed her party workers not to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission, currently active in 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh . She advised the cadre to focus on forming Booth Level Agent (BLA) teams and connecting verified BSP supporters instead of engaging in protests.A short Election Commission booklet has been distributed to guide officials in voter registration efforts. Faizan Khan, convener of the Lucknow division, said, ‘Our leader has made it clear that we must work at the grassroots, not waste time opposing SIR.’ Restoring lost muslim support According to Faizan Khan, BSP has always treated Muslims as an integral part of its social alliance. He accused opposition parties of misleading the community and claimed that under BSP rule, no communal riots occurred.He added that SP and Congress gained Muslim votes in the 2022 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls but failed to prevent BJP’s return. ‘Only BSP can defeat BJP now,’ he asserted. Mayawati clarifies Samsuddin’s expulsion Mayawati also addressed the removal of party leader Samsuddin, explaining that he had been repeatedly warned. She alleged he fielded weak candidates in collusion with BJP and SP during elections and promoted factionalism within the party.She instructed members to report any such internal sabotage directly to her, assuring strict disciplinary action. Akash Anand’s return to UP after Bihar polls Mayawati announced that Akash Anand will soon focus fully on Uttar Pradesh after completing his campaign duties in Bihar. He will tour all districts, hold meetings, and monitor booth-level progress. ‘After the Bihar elections, Akash will work full-time in UP. Where necessary, I too will step out,’ Mayawati declared. Rebuilding from the Ground Up By reviving the Muslim Brotherhood Committee, strengthening booth structures, and reintroducing her 2007-style social engineering, Mayawati has clearly signalled a full-scale comeback bid for 2027. Her message was unambiguous, the path to power lies not through fear, but through representation, respect, and grassroots organisation. Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress to be voice of OBCs, Dalits and minorities: Ajay Rai
Varanasi: Terming BJP-led govt as anti-other backward class, Dalit and minority sections of society, UP Congress Committee president Ajay Rai said, “During Modi-Yogi govt’s rule at Centre and in UP, a horrific rise in atrocities against backward classes, Dalits, tribals, women, and minorities is evident as their slogan of ‘Amrit Kaal’ (period of healing) has converted into ‘Atyachar Kaal’ (era of atrocities).” Referring to latest NCRB report during a press conference at his residence here on Saturday, Rai said, “The report states clearly that highest increase in crime against SC/ST occurred in UP. Incidents of inhuman crime recently in Fatehpur, Rae Bareli, Kakori, etc, including loot, murder and kidnapping are common in Yogi’s rule and people in the state are living in an atmosphere of fear and injustice. Congress will be the voice of these sections for justice and equality. As long as even one person faces injustice in the name of caste or religion in the country and state, Congress’s fight will continue.” Rai targeted Modi govt at Centre and Yogi govt in UP, alleging that it increased inflation and corruption with their anti-people policies. He alleged that state govt could not ensure proper arrangements for cleaning ghats and uninterrupted flow of Ganga before the festival of Chhath. He said people of Varanasi were distressed by govt-sponsored mismanagement, loot and insensitive attitude of govt machinery. Speaking on Bihar assembly election, Rai said Nitish Kumar-led NDA govt had provided employment only in liquor smuggling. Today, farmers, youth, Dalits and backward class people of Bihar were fed up of the misrule of Nitish govt, said Rai, adding that public had completely made up its mind for change, and it was going to be proved by their votes. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati damages Akhilesh’s formula:After Dalits, major OBC meeting convened; Muslim brotherhood Committee formed
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati is going to hold the fourth major meeting within a month. On November 1, BSP has called a meeting of backward classes in Lucknow. Usually, this meeting was held on the 11th of every month. This meeting was conducted by State President Vishwanath Pal, Mewalal Gautam, and State Treasurer and National General Secretary Ram Avatar Mittal. But for the first time, the date of this meeting has been changed. The meeting notice has also been issued from Mayawati’s office. According to party sources, after Dalits, BSP is now focusing on backward classes. Along with this, Mayawati has also formed Muslim Brotherhood committees. Political experts view this move by BSP as a counter to SP’s PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. What is BSP’s complete plan? What does BSP want to achieve by winning over OBCs and Muslims? The BSP meeting will include divisional in-charges of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee and district in-charges of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee. On October 9, along with a large number of Dalits, people from the OBC community also came to Lucknow. Now, Mayawati will call a meeting of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee to thank them for this success. Additionally, they will visit the OBC community in their respective areas to express gratitude and inform them about the party’s policies and practices. The OBC population in the state is more than 50 percent. While 8 percent Yadavs are SP’s core voters, regional parties and satraps under the names of Kurmi-Nishad and Rajbhar keep collecting votes from these sections in different parties. The remaining 30 percent OBC community is scattered. How important is OBC community for BSP? Mayawati’s focus is on uniting these OBC castes. This is why BSP has given the command of state president to Vishwanath Pal, who comes from the extremely backward Pal community, for the second consecutive time. Senior journalist Syed Kasim, who closely monitors BSP’s politics, says – Mayawati is focused on sharpening social engineering. The formation of Dalit, OBC, Muslim brotherhood committees and their meetings are indicating in this direction. In 2007, BSP had several faces from the OBC community like Babu Kushwaha, Swami Prasad Maurya, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Ram Achal Rajbhar, Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Daddu Prasad, Sukhdev Rajbhar, and Phagu Chauhan. Many of them were given positions in Mayawati’s cabinet. BSP also formed Muslim Brotherhood committees Bahujan Samaj Party has started forming Muslim Brotherhood Committees in the state. Mayawati has appointed Mohammad Asad as the coordinator of the Muslim Brotherhood Committee in the Ayodhya division. Similarly, this responsibility has been given to Sarwar Malik in the capital, Lucknow. Currently, Muslim Brotherhood Committees are being formed at the division level. After this, Muslim Brotherhood Committees will be formed at the district level and then at the assembly level. Mayawati has already made it clear in her previous meeting that the formation of Brotherhood Committees of various communities across the state should be completed before January 2026. Senior journalist Ratan Mani Lal says – When BSP became a partner in power with SP’s support, it only had a Dalit support base. But after this, to increase its public base, it started connecting with different castes through brotherhood conferences. At that time, a large number of Muslims joined BSP. There were many prominent Muslim faces in the number two position in BSP. Nasimuddin Siddiqui was one of BSP’s prominent Muslim faces How much damage to SP’s PDA from BSP’s strategy Political analysts say that SP is showing the most panic from BSP’s social engineering formula. After the October 9 event, the way SP leaders attacked BSP chief Mayawati makes it clear that SP fears damage from BSP’s strategy. SP benefited the most from the PDA slogan in 2024. Then SP had received support from large populations of Muslims, OBCs, and Dalits. BSP has been engaged in deflating SP’s PDA through 4 major events in the last month. BSP has appealed to Dalit (D) voters through the October 9 program. Meanwhile, it has tried to send a big message by holding UP-Uttarakhand and National Executive meetings in Lucknow on October 16 and 19. Now, by calling a meeting of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee on November 1 and forming the Muslim Brotherhood Committee, Mayawati has targeted SP’s Backward (P) and Minority (A) voters. Know why BSP is eyeing OBCs? Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Jarange wants govt to keep word on Satara Gazette, form panel for dalits, Muslims, farmers
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said govt’s failure to implement the Satara Gazette within the promised deadline would attract “consequences”. He demanded that a cabinet sub-committee should be formed for dalits, Muslims, farmers, tribals and others, on the lines of the one set up for OBC community. “If govt fails to act, I will be forced to hit the streets again,” he said. Jarange criticised a section of ‘leaders’ and ‘experts’ speaking on Maratha reservation, accusing them of misleading the community on multiple occasions. “We don’t trust anyone else. The Maratha community will not fall into any trap. I will bring the entire community in Marathwada under reservation. People will see this in just a few days,” he said. The activist reiterated his determination to secure OBC status for the Maratha community, while launching a sharp attack on senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Speaking to media from a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jarange said, “I will ensure Marathas get included in the OBC category.” Regarding govt’s recent decision to replace Bhujbal with BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule as head of the OBC sub-committee, Jarange said, “It does not concern me who is appointed. My only issue is reservation.” Jarange’s remarks follow state govt accepting six of his eight demands and issuing a govt resolution (GR). Following this, Jarange withdrew his protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. However, the GR angered OBC leaders, with several activists threatening to initiate legal action, prompting the govt to form a sub-committee to address the community’s concerns. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.