With an eye on expanding his political footprint beyond Uttar Pradesh, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has stepped up pressure on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over seat-sharing talks ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
He clearly stated that if an alliance with the BJP doesn’t materialise, the SBSP is open to other possibilities. The party, which is currently aligned with the BJP, has also hinted at the formation of a third front with non-BJP parties to assert its political influence. Rajbhar said, “If there is no alliance with the BJP in Bihar, we will keep all options open.”
He further mentioned that his party is holding talks with several smaller political groups, including Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). The SBSP is preparing to contest as many as 156 of Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats, depending on how political developments unfold. “We want to establish our presence in Bihar, where we have been active for several years,” he added.
Sources within the BJP revealed that Rajbhar is demanding “respectable” seat allocations in regions like Siwan, Champaran, Saran, Gopalganj, and Buxar—areas with significant population of communities such as Rajbhars, Rajvanshis, Rajdhobis, and Bhars. The SBSP is also trying to build support among other castes like Patwas and Mandals.
Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), who make up over 30 per cent of Bihar’s electorate, are seen as a key focus for the SBSP. To strengthen his bargaining position, Rajbhar has reportedly held meetings with senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda.
Political analysts observe that the SBSP’s approach is firmly grounded in caste-based mobilisation and tactical alliance-building. Rajbhar, who has significant influence among OBC and Dalit voters in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is now aiming to replicate that regional model in Bihar.
Sources suggest that the party’s larger goal is to unite underrepresented OBC communities in Bihar, particularly those who feel ignored by dominant parties like the RJD and JD(U).