Patna: In a significant development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to make his maiden visit to Bihar since the formation of the NDA government in the state on January 28. Amidst fervent preparations for his arrival, a shift in schedule has been announced, marking his presence in Patna on March 9 instead of the initially planned date of March 5. This alteration in plans is poised to have considerable implications on the political landscape, particularly with the looming Lok Sabha elections.
The anticipation surrounding Shah’s visit is heightened by the imminent rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aurangabad and Begusarai on March 2. Following these rallies, a succession of top BJP leaders is slated to descend upon Bihar, culminating in Shah’s much-anticipated arrival. This strategic sequence underscores the party’s concerted efforts to galvanize support and consolidate its position ahead of the forthcoming electoral battle.
With the Election Commission expected to unveil the dates for the Lok Sabha elections in the second week of March, Shah’s visit assumes added significance. It is widely speculated that his presence in Patna will serve as a catalyst for engaging with the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a pivotal demographic segment in Bihar’s political landscape. Notably, Bihar’s recent caste census has underscored the burgeoning influence of the OBCs, representing a formidable voting bloc comprising 36 percent of the state’s population.
On March 9, Shah is slated to address the general conference of the OBC Morcha in Patna, thereby amplifying his outreach to OBC communities nationwide. The conference is envisioned as a platform to mobilize support from the backward classes, with a particular focus on elucidating the Central Government’s initiatives tailored to their welfare. Against the backdrop of Bihar’s socio-political dynamics, Shah’s discourse is expected to encompass a spectrum of policy measures aimed at uplifting the OBCs, coupled with strategic overtures to secure their allegiance through substantive announcements.
