‘Panchforna’ castes may play key role in 10 Muzaffarpur constituencies

MUZAFFARPUR: The Nonias, Lohars, Barhais, Hajams, Kumhars and Mallahs, locally referred to as the ‘Panchforna’ castes, are likely to be a deciding factor in 10 out of 11 assembly constituencies of Muzaffarpur district which goes to the polls on November 1.
People had started forgetting the caste factor in elections but the alliance between CM Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad has brought all dominant backward castes together.The ‘Panchforna’ castes have been ignored in ticket distribution by the Mahagathbandhan, especially by the RJD which relied more on the Yadavas than anyone else.
The JD(U) had won seven out of 11 seats in the district in 2010 assembly. But Nitish has sacrificed eight seats to its alliance partner RJD and fielded candidates only in Muzaffarpur Town, Bochaha and Kurhani constituencies. The RJD has fielded Yadavas from six out of eight seats, including Surendra Yadav in Aurai, Maheshwar Yadav in Gaighat, Ram Vichar Rai in Sahebganj, Nandu Rai in Baruraj, Shankar Rai in Paroo and Munna Yadav in Minapur.
A district-level JD(U) office-bearer, preferring anonymity, claimed that the ‘Panchforna’ castes have a substantial population in Muzaffarpur district and, contrary to expectations, the Mahagathbandhan has ignored them in this election. Now, they may support candidates on merit, irrespective of parties.
Similarly, the BJP is also not keeping good health in this area. A group of old party workers locked the BJP office in Imalichatti on Monday in protest against giving BJP ticket to three out of four JD(U) MLAs who had joined the party only recently. BJP worker Sanjiv admitted that the party had assured ticket to the then JD(U) MLAs for supporting it during the Rajya Sabha election and it has kept its promise.
The NDA and the Mahagathbandhan are in direct contest in Muzaffarpur district. The Third Front led by Samajwadi Party is expected to cut into the Mahagathbandhan’s vote bank. Besides caste considerations, one side is shouting ‘Nitish lao, Bhajpa bhagao’ while the other is calling ‘Jungle raj hatao, Modi lao’.