As Bihar heads to the polls, a chorus of discontent echoes through the railway stations and bus stands where weary migrant workers are returning home. Their message to politicians is stark and unambiguous: stop making hollow promises that vanish once the election dust settles.
The Long Journey Home to Disappointment
Thousands of migrants are making their way back to Bihar from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi, only to confront the same bleak employment landscape they had escaped years earlier. Many express frustration that despite numerous election cycles and countless political assurances, little has changed for their communities.
"Politicians become very vocal before elections, but what about after?" questions Ram Vilas Paswan, a construction worker returning from Ahmedabad. "They come with folded hands during voting season, but once elected, their hands remain folded when we need help."
Broken Promises and Fading Hope
The migrant community, which forms a significant voting bloc in Bihar, has grown increasingly skeptical of political rhetoric. Many workers shared similar stories of being courted during election campaigns with promises of local employment opportunities, better wages, and improved social security—none of which materialized.
- Local job creation schemes that never took off
- Promised skill development centers that remain on paper
- Assurances of better working conditions that evaporated post-elections
- Social security measures that never reached implementation
A Warning to Political Parties
This election season carries a different tone, with migrants openly expressing their disillusionment. "We are not fools anymore," states Sunita Devi, whose husband works in a Surat textile mill. "We remember what was promised and what was delivered. This time, we will vote for someone who actually cares about our survival."
The caution from migrant workers comes at a critical juncture for Bihar's political landscape. With migration being a central economic reality for millions of Bihari families, the concerns of this demographic could significantly influence electoral outcomes.
The Human Cost of Political Neglect
Behind the political rhetoric lies the harsh reality of migrant lives—families separated for years, hazardous working conditions in destination states, and the constant anxiety of irregular employment. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the extreme vulnerability of this population, yet many feel that systemic solutions remain elusive.
As one returning worker poignantly noted, "We build India's cities but remain invisible in our own homeland. When will our votes translate into genuine respect and dignity?"
The message from Bihar's returning migrants is clear: the era of empty political promises may be ending, replaced by demands for tangible action and accountability.
