Bengaluru: Political activity among migrant Biharis in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, has intensified as parties seek to engage voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. With the festive season coinciding with the electoral schedule, parties view the homecoming of thousands of migrant workers as an opportunity to boost turnout and reconnect with this influential segment of the electorate.
Migrant population and concentration
Bihar is set to go to polls in two phases — November 6 and 11 — just after the festive period, which begins with Diwali and ends with Chhath on October 28. Official data from the state labour department lists around 24,000 registered migrant workers from Bihar in Karnataka. However, political parties estimate the actual number closer to 10 lakh, with 8 lakh concentrated in Bengaluru.
According to Nischith KR, convener of the Jan Suraaj Party (Karnataka), “Around 80% are blue-collar workers, and the remaining are white-collar professionals and students. Blue-collar workers are mostly in construction, transportation, small industries, and food sectors, living in areas like Sarjapur, Electronics City, Whitefield, Yelahanka, Yeshwantpur, and Peenya.”
Jan Suraaj Party campaigns
The Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, has been campaigning among Biharis in Bengaluru for the past five months. The party recently organised a community outreach programme titled ‘Bengaluru Se Bihar Badlav’ at Gandhi Bhavan, Bengaluru, drawing hundreds of Bihar-origin workers, students, and entrepreneurs.
Manoj Bharti, Bihar state president of Jan Suraaj, highlighted systemic corruption as the root cause of governance issues in Bihar. “None of the national parties has the willpower to change the system,” Bharti said. “People must vote based on education, employment, and development, not money or caste.” He urged non-resident Biharis to return home and vote in November to bring real change.
Voting challenges during festive season
With elections coinciding with Diwali–Chhath, many migrants face a dilemma. While eager to visit home, they worry about staying long enough to cast their votes. A transport worker from Yeshwantpur noted, “Chhath ends on October 28, and the first phase of voting is on November 6. It is difficult to extend leave. Travelling twice within weeks is expensive.”
The situation is further complicated by the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) special intensive revision of electoral rolls, which led to over 65 lakh deletions from voter lists. Many migrants fear their names may have been removed while they were away. The ECI has clarified that no name is deleted without due notice, but confusion persists. Civic groups and opposition parties claim the deletions may disproportionately affect migrant voters, as many were classified as “untraceable” or “migrated”.
Political parties’ strategies
Despite these challenges, parties are focusing on early engagement. “Our campaign is designed to connect with them before they leave for home,” said Nischith. “We want to ensure they see voting as an essential part of their journey home this Chhath.”
Both BJP and Congress are also planning outreach initiatives targeting Bihari migrants in Karnataka, aiming to influence the electoral outcome ahead of the November polls.