JDU Works Towards EBC Consolidation in Bihar

JDU to honour Ramphal Mandal, targeting decisive EBC vote bank consolidation

- TIKAM SHARMA

The Janata Dal (United) is preparing to organise a large-scale event in Jhanjharpur on August 23 as part of its bid to strengthen its support base among the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for October-November 2025.

The programme will commemorate the death anniversary of Amar Shaheed Ramphal Mandal, a distinguished hero of the Quit India Movement, and will serve as a platform to bring together the Pachpania community.

Significantly, through this event, the JDU seeks to court the Pachpania group, which comprises castes such as Dhanuk, Kewat, Amat, Tanti, Chaupal, and Nonia. Given that EBCs constitute around 36% of Bihar's total population, their electoral influence is considerable and often decisive in determining poll outcomes.

Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, a senior JDU leader remarked, "This programme is equally about paying homage to a martyr and about reinforcing the faith of EBC communities in the NDA."