A Battleground for 38 Candidates
The first phase of India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections will see four constituencies in Bihar go to the polls, including Gaya. This crucial seat will witness a contest among 38 candidates, with the highest number of 14 vying for the position.
In the 2019 elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept all four seats in Bihar. The BJP won Aurangabad, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) secured Gaya, and the then united Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) emerged victorious in both Jamui and Nawada.
With 40 Lok Sabha seats, Bihar holds significant weight in Indian politics. It ranks fourth in terms of the total number of seats in the lower house of Parliament.
For the 2024 elections, the BJP has ceded the Gaya (reserved) seat to its ally, the Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S). The main contenders in this constituency are Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and former minister and RJD candidate Kumar Sarvjeet. The seat was previously held by Vijay Kumar alias Vijay Manjhi of JD(U).
In the 2019 elections, the JD(U) candidate defeated Manjhi by a margin of over 1.52 lakh votes. Manjhi's HAM was part of the grand alliance then.
Gaya holds immense religious significance as it sits on the banks of the Falgu River and houses the internationally acclaimed Mahabodhi Mahavihara (temple), where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. The seat has been represented by candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (Manjhi--Musahar) for the past 25 years.
Despite being reserved for the Scheduled Caste, political parties primarily focus on garnering votes from EBCs, OBCs, and Upper castes. The Manjhi (Mushahar) community itself boasts over 2.5 lakh voters. Additionally, members of Dusadh (Paswan), Dhobis (washermen), and Pasi (who sell toddy) are present in significant numbers.
Scheduled Caste voters play a crucial role in determining the victor, as they constitute around 17% of the votes in the reserved constituency.
The last time Congress won the Gaya seat was in 1984, followed by the RJD in 2004. The BJP clinched victory in 2009 and 2014, and the Janata Dal (United) in 2019. However, since 1999, a member of the Manjhi community has consistently represented the seat.
Addressing a political rally in Gaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Opposition, highlighting Jitan Ram Manjhi's experience with the Congress and RJD's alleged exploitation of Dalits, oppressed, and backward classes for political gains. He emphasized his own humble origins and expressed gratitude to BR Ambedkar's Constitution for enabling him to become the Prime Minister.