In India’s Bihar, parties woo Gen Z with promises of jobs

For Modi, state polls win would reaffirm his BJP’s political dominance in Hindi heartland

- Nirmala Ganapathy India Bureau Chief

In Bihar, a state with one of India’s youngest populations, 22-year-old Aishwarya Bhaskar was excited about casting her first vote in a state election where every major political party is dangling the prospect of a multitude of jobs and skills centres to woo Gen Z voters like her.

But her enthusiasm was tempered by scepticism over whether election promises would actually be fulfilled.

“For me in this election, the main issue is employment. I voted for who I think has the best chance of delivering,” said Ms Bhaskar, who aspires to be a civil servant and is a Bachelor of Science student at the Patna Science College. “It (creation of jobs) remains a hope.”

Ms Bhaskar is among a large section of Gen Z voters, who make up around 25 per cent of the 74.2 million electorate.

Voters in the state, among India’s most populous, began casting their votes on Nov 6 in a fiercely fought electoral battle where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking to retain power.

Voting is being held in two phases: 121 out of 243 constituencies vote on Nov 6 to elect members of the state Legislative Assembly.

The state had a high voter turnout of more than 60 per cent in the first phase of the election.

The remaining constituencies will vote on Nov I, with results out on Nov 4.

For Mr Modi, a victory here would reaffirm his Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) political dominance in the Hindi heartland, adding to a string of victories in recent state elections in Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana.

In Bihar, the BJP is in an alliance with the Janata Dal (United) (JDU), whose leader Nitish Kumar is the current chief minister.

Mr Kumar also helps prop up the federal government after Mr Modi lost his majority in the 2024 General Election.