In a fresh push to engage migrant voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deployed around 150 of its state leaders across the country to connect with Bihari migrants, hoping to persuade them to return home and cast their votes.
The outreach campaign, which includes a 14-point questionnaire, is part of a wider effort to gather detailed information about non-resident Biharis — a population estimated to be around 27.5 million.
The form, titled “Aam Bihari pravisiyon ki jaankari” (information on common migrants from Bihar), seeks to collect personal and demographic data including name, phone number, address, occupation, caste, Assembly constituency, native district, and political preferences.
Bihar BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said the timing of the polls, likely to be held in October, could work in the party’s favour, as they are expected to coincide with Chhath Puja — a major festival in the state when lakhs of migrants traditionally return home.
“With special trains running during Chhath Puja, it will be far easier for migrants to travel back and cast their votes,” Sharma told the media.
The party believes the questionnaire will be a “game changer,” helping to consolidate Assembly constituency-level data and caste demographics to better focus campaign efforts. One of the questions also inquires whether the respondent holds a voter ID, allowing the party to assist those without one.
Another key question assesses the migrant’s level of influence in their local community — potentially allowing the BJP to identify voters who could encourage others to support the party.
A BJP leader involved in the campaign said the data-driven approach is expected to sharpen the party’s strategy and may significantly impact voter mobilisation.
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