2025, Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part C

Author(s): Swati Shikha

Abstract: This study investigates the complex interplay of caste, religion, and development in shaping electoral behavior in Bihar, a state marked by deep-rooted social hierarchies and evolving political consciousness. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines structured surveys and qualitative interviews across a sample of 2,000 voters from ten districts in North, Central, and South Bihar. The study analyzes how identity-based factors like caste and religion continue to exert significant influence on voting preferences, while also examining the growing importance of development narratives, particularly among youth, urban populations, and media-exposed voters. Statistical tools such as chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression were employed to validate seven hypotheses related to the impact and interaction of identity and issue-based variables on vote choice. The findings reveal that while traditional identity factors remain powerful, there is a noticeable shift towards performance- and development-oriented voting, especially among educated and younger voters. The study also finds a nuanced interaction effect, where caste identity does not operate in isolation but is increasingly filtered through perceptions of governance and development. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the transitional nature of electoral behavior in Bihar, highlighting the coexistence of continuity and change in democratic practices.

DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i7c.601

Pages: 161-168 | Views: 138 | Downloads: 11

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