The M In Bihar’s MY Was Silent, Two Reasons

RJD fielded far fewer Muslim candidates & its pitch pretty much ignored the community’s concerns

For decades, Bihar’s Muslim electorate was front and centre of focus in electoral politics, the so-called ‘M vote’ both JDU’s and RJD’s base. But the 2025 election saw a shift – during campaigning, enthusiasm in Muslim communities for elections gave way to a silent wariness.
Historically, Muslims have supported secular alliances. They ensure community members vote for parties claiming to be inclusive. Statewide, they comprise over 20% in around 87 seats. Will their turnout (as and when it’s known) and even new voter rolls, impact outcomes? Because this time, the community, till poll day, had demonstrated a disengagement that arose from two broad, and deeply felt, concerns: lack of representation and invisibilisation from political discourse.