Bihar Assembly Polls Pose Key Test for Modi’s National Alliance Amid Youth Unemployment and Voter Concerns
India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faces a challenging battle in next month’s Bihar state elections. The eastern state, home to over 130 million people, is a politically crucial region where cracks in the coalition could affect Modi’s prospects ahead of upcoming elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Opinion polls indicate a marginal lead for the NDA, with youth unemployment and voter distrust emerging as key issues.
Women are expected to play a decisive role in the elections, as many men leave Bihar to seek work elsewhere. Initiatives like the government’s self-employment subsidy for 12.1 million women have contributed to the NDA’s slight edge, but voter sentiment is mixed. Some residents, like 85-year-old Jitni Devi, have been removed from voter lists, fueling frustration and distrust in the electoral process.
Young voters are also concerned about employment opportunities despite improvements in state unemployment rates, with a reported 9.9% of people aged 15–29 still jobless in 2023–24. A new political party, Jan Suraaj, promises reforms addressing joblessness, migration, and agricultural losses, while the opposition pledges guaranteed government employment for families. The BJP, however, remains confident in its alliance’s strength and Modi’s leadership. Voting is scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.
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