How effective will the bet of caste survey and 75% reservation be for Nitish Kumar in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
Nitish Kumar’s Reservation Gambit: A Calculated Move or a Risky Gamble?
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s recent decision to hike the state’s reservation quota from 50% to 75% has sparked a heated debate, with some political analysts applauding the move as a step towards social justice and others expressing concerns about its potential impact on the state’s social and political fabric.
Kumar’s decision, based on a caste survey conducted in Bihar in 2022-23, is seen as a strategic move ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. By championing the cause of reservation and special status for Bihar, Kumar aims to consolidate his support among the state’s backward classes and create an anti-BJP sentiment among the electorate.
While Kumar’s supporters hail the reservation hike as a long-overdue measure to empower the backward classes, critics argue that the decision is based on flawed data and could further exacerbate caste divisions in the state. They also warn that the increased reservation quota could jeopardize the educational and professional prospects of students from other castes.
Kumar’s demand for special status for Bihar, another key plank of his political agenda, has also met with mixed reactions. Supporters argue that Bihar’s economic backwardness necessitates special assistance from the central government, while critics maintain that the state does not meet the criteria for special category status.
The success of Kumar’s reservation and special status strategies remains to be seen. If he succeeds in garnering widespread support for these issues, it could pose a significant challenge for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. However, if his efforts prove divisive or counterproductive, he could risk alienating a significant portion of the electorate.
Only time will tell whether Kumar’s reservation gambit will prove to be a masterstroke or a risky gamble with far-reaching consequences for Bihar’s social and political landscape.
