Patna: Former Muzaffarpur MP Ajay Nishad’s return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with his wife, marks a calculated move by the party to reclaim a key backward-caste vote bank as Bihar gears up for the 2025 assembly elections.
The BJP’s decision to reinduct Nishad is aimed at addressing a growing concern: the fragmentation of Nishad (OBC/Mallah) votes across North Bihar’s 20 to 25 constituencies. The party has struggled to retain this support base amid the rise of Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and Sahni’s self-styled image as the “son of Mallah.”
By bringing Ajay Nishad back into the fold, the BJP leadership seeks to reassure Nishad voters—many of whom drifted away after the former MP’s switch to Congress—that their political and community interests remain a party priority. The move also helps consolidate the OBC bloc in the region, where Nishad’s personal rapport and family legacy still carry weight.
Kudhani as a Test Case
Party insiders say fielding Nishad’s wife, Rama Nishad, from the Kudhani seat could be a masterstroke. The BJP’s current MLA, Kedar Prasad Gupta, faces a tough challenge from VIP and RJD, both of which are actively courting the Nishad community. Even a minor shift in this vote bank could tip the balance in several close contests.
Muzaffarpur MP’s Weak Caste Connect
The sitting Muzaffarpur MP, Raj Bhushan Nishad, although a successful electoral candidate, is viewed within the community as a technocrat rather than a caste mobilizer. This perception has left space for Ajay Nishad to reclaim his traditional role as the community’s political anchor, aided by his family’s deep grassroots connections.
Legacy and Local Clout
Ajay Nishad, son of late Captain Jai Narayan Prasad Nishad—a five-time MP and former Union minister—commands respect among party veterans and booth-level workers. His reentry not only boosts the BJP’s local organizational strength but also revives an emotional bond with Nishad voters who see him as part of their political lineage.
Internal Balancing: The Roy Factor
Union Minister Nityanand Roy, seen as a rival power center within the OBC fold, may now have to strike a tactical truce. Party sources say overt resistance to Nishad’s return could backfire, risking internal divisions and weakening the BJP’s broader caste calculus in Bihar.
Strategic Takeaway
Ajay Nishad’s “ghar wapsi” underscores the BJP’s pragmatic approach to coalition and caste management ahead of the 2025 elections. It blunts the VIP’s growing influence, reinforces the party’s message of unity, and enhances its reach among OBC voters—potentially altering the outcome in several marginal constituencies.
In a state where caste arithmetic often decides the political score, Nishad’s return could give the BJP a crucial advantage in North Bihar’s competitive landscape.
