Seemanchal emerges as pivotal battleground

As Bihar's first phase ends, Seemanchal turns central with multi-party electoral strategies.

- TIKAM SHARMA

With the completion of the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, political attention has now shifted to the Seemanchal region, where all major parties are intensifying efforts to woo voters.

Historically known for delivering fractured mandates and swinging between alliances, Seemanchal has once again emerged as one of Bihar's most politically dynamic battlegrounds. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan are conducting back-to-back rallies and high-profile visits to consolidate their positions. The contest, however, has become even more intricate with the entry of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, transforming it into a four-cornered electoral face-off.

Although Seemanchal comprises just 24 Assembly constituencies across Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar, and Purnia, political observers point out that its influence often extends far beyond its numerical strength, shaping the overall electoral narrative of Bihar. The region's demographic profile plays a key role in this importance - Muslims form a majority in Kishanganj at over 60%, about 45% in Araria, more than 40% in Katihar, and nearly 30% in Purnia. Alongside this, the substantial presence of Yadavs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) further cements Seemanchal's status as a politically decisive zone in the state's complex electoral calculus.