Elections in a participatory system, at any level, serve as a barometer to measure the opinions and perceptions of different sections of society. It is also a fact in electoral politics that immediate concerns tend to dominate political discourse and manifestos. In Bihar, issues of livelihood and employment have become particularly pressing at a time when the state has earned in many quarters the distinction of “first Republic in the world”. Data indicates that around 1.4 million young people are voting for the first time in the ongoing assembly elections, and no political party can afford to ignore these warning signs. The scene is in many ways reminiscent of “My Kashmir” where generations of my students are experiencing “frustrated freedom” due to declining opportunity structures.

The B

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