Parties aim to woo workers returning home for Chhath

With Bihar set for a high-stakes assembly elections, political parties are worried about the possible exodus of migrant voters after the Chhath festival.

- Sanjeev K Jha

Around 4.6 million people from Bihar live and work outside the state, and with the first phase of elections (on November 6) coming nine days after Chhath — the second is on November Il and the results will be declared on November 14 — there are fears of migrants returning home for the festival leaving before voting day.

According to Bihar government data, 4.578 million residents work in other Indian states, while around 217,000 are employed abroad. Most of the domestic migrants belong to economically weaker sections and migrate seasonally for work.

The first phase of voting will take place after nine days of Chhath, while the second phase will be held after 14 days. Chhath is expected to bring lakhs of migrants back home.