New Delhi – In a strategic move ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, the Congress has intensified its outreach to Pasmanda Muslims, aiming to reestablish its influence in the state. The latest indication of this push is the induction of Ali Anwar Ansari, a former Rajya Sabha MP and the chief of the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, into the party.
Ansari, a prominent voice for the Pasmanda Muslim community—who make up nearly 80% of Bihar’s Muslim population—recently left the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] to join Congress. His shift is seen as a setback to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has long courted this marginalized segment through welfare schemes and reservation benefits.
Alongside Ansari, Bhagirath Manjhi, son of the legendary ‘mountain man’ Dashrath Manjhi, and other key figures have also joined Congress, marking an effort to revive the party’s relevance in the state.
For decades, Congress enjoyed a stronghold in Bihar by securing the support of forward castes, Dalits, and Muslims. However, the emergence of leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar fractured this support base. While Muslims and Dalits aligned with Lalu’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Nitish’s JD(U), forward castes gravitated toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
By the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, Congress had been reduced to a marginal player, winning only 19 out of 70 contested seats. Its weak performance impacted the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, which fell just 10 seats short of forming the government. Now, by bringing in leaders like Ansari, Congress is attempting to establish an independent foothold in the state’s Muslim electorate, which constitutes around 17.7% of Bihar’s population.
Ali Anwar Ansari has long advocated for the political and social upliftment of Pasmanda Muslims. His move to Congress signals the party’s intent to directly engage with this community, rather than relying solely on Lalu’s RJD. Speaking to India Today, Ansari described his decision as a principled one. “Rahul Gandhi has shown the courage to challenge communalism and crony capitalism while defending the Constitution. I am committed to strengthening Muslim empowerment through Congress,” he stated.
The Congress has had Muslim representation in Bihar through leaders like MLA Shakil Ahmad Khan and former state working president Kaukab Qadri. However, Ansari’s credibility as a long-time champion of Pasmanda Muslims is expected to enhance the party’s appeal among this electorate.
Despite these new inductions, Congress faces an uphill battle in Bihar. The party’s decline over the years has been stark, and reclaiming lost ground will require more than just high-profile defections. However, with Rahul Gandhi recently attending the Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan in Patna and actively positioning Congress as a serious contender, the party hopes to shift political dynamics in its favor. Whether this strategy succeeds will become clear in the upcoming elections.
