Bihar: The migrant vote

Biharis who migrate for work remain embedded in caste, class networks of home. Parties tailor their messaging accordingly. And whether a migrant votes depends on his/her ability to absorb income loss from work foregone. And here, whether parties compensate for lost earnings is a crucial factor

Candidate nominations for the final phase of Bihar polls ended yesterday. Almost every candidate who clears scrutiny will, aside from working local caste networks, keep a sharp eye on migrant voters. Bihar’s five million migrants, many local pundits say, are key to the outcome of the political contest.

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