The Sasaram Assembly seat holds significant importance for Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, especially after his 2024 Lok Sabha defeat dented his influence among Kushwaha voters. His wife Snehlata Kushwaha is contesting from this constituency, one of six RLM is fighting. Historically, Sasaram was represented by Kushwaha candidates for three decades until the RJD's Rajesh Kumar Gupta won in 2020, marking the first non-Kushwaha victory in 30 years. This time, the RJD has fielded Satyendra Sah from the Teli community, but his campaign has been hampered after his arrest in a Jharkhand bank loot case, though he is now out on bail. Upendra Kushwaha campaigned extensively in Sasaram, holding multiple rallies. A victory here would help restore his political standing within the NDA and reinforce his claim as a prominent Kushwaha leader across Bihar.
Caste Arithmetic and Electoral Prospects in Sasaram
Sasaram's voter demographics feature approximately 35,000 EBCs (including 20,000 Telis) and 35,000 Kushwahas, with upper castes numbering around 20,000. The constituency also has about 15,000 Yadavs, 20,000 Muslims, 20,000 Banias, 15,000 Ravidas, and 10,000 Paswans. The NDA expects support from Kushwahas, EBCs, and upper castes, while the RJD hopes to consolidate Teli, Yadav, and Muslim votes. A complicating factor is former RJD MLA Ashok Kumar Kushwaha contesting on a BSP ticket, likely to split votes. Local residents cite Upendra Kushwaha's continued connection with the region since representing neighbouring Karakot between 2014 and 2019, plus benefits from Nitish Kumar's welfare schemes, as factors favoring Snehlata. However, concerns remain about inadequate healthcare facilities and economic issues following the ban on stone mining.
Source: Link