Ahead of the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections on 6 and 11 Nov., the number of Muslim candidates fielded by major political parties has dropped sharply. This marks the lowest level of Muslim representation in relation to the community’s population in recent decades.
The Bihar Socio-Economic and Caste Survey of 2022-23 shows Muslims make up 17.7% of the state’s 13.07 crore population. Despite this, parties have nominated fewer Muslim candidates compared to previous elections. The RJD has 18 Muslim nominees among 143 candidates, the same as in 2020. Congress has reduced its Muslim nominees from 12 to 10, while JD(U) has nominated only four Muslims out of 101 candidates. The LJP has fielded a single Muslim candidate. AIMIM, by contrast, has 23 Muslim nominees out of 25, aiming to consolidate the community’s vote. CPI(ML) Liberation has included two Muslim candidates, and Vikas-sheelInsaan Party has none.
Historically, Muslim representation in the Bihar Assembly has fluctuated. Between 1990 and 2020, it averaged around 8%. The 2020 Assembly had 19 Muslim MLAs, representing 7.81% of the 243-member House. In 2015, the number reached 24, or 9.87%, one of the community’s highest levels. Declines in representation have followed changes in party nominations and alliances.
The current reduction of Muslim candidates has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and opposition voices. Analysts warn that the underrepresentation risks marginalising a key community in state politics.