In recent years, there has been a significant decrease in Muslim representation in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, with Muslim MLAs now making up less than half of their proportion in the state’s population. While Muslims constitute nearly 17% of Bihar’s population, they represent only about 8% of the Assembly’s total members. This reduction has been observed across major political parties, including the RJD and JD(U), which were historically regarded as strongholds for Muslim political support. Analysts indicate that this shift reflects changing political priorities and candidate selection strategies, alongside an increasing emphasis on caste-based dynamics in electoral politics.
Observers note that the diminished presence of Muslim legislators may affect the representation and involvement of the community in policy-making, particularly in matters relating to education, employment, and minority welfare.
