On this special edition of India Today’s Democratic Newsroom, anchor Akshita Nandgopal and a panel of senior editors including Rajdeep Sardesai, Gaurav Sawant, and Raj Chengappa dissect the role of caste in the upcoming Bihar elections. Rajdeep Sardesai counters the narrative against caste-based analysis by stating, ‘You have no problem with communal politics, but you have a problem with caste politics’. The debate explores whether caste remains the single biggest factor or if it is being superseded by other elements like gender and welfare politics. The panel examines the promises made by leaders like Nitish Kumar, who has pledged 1 crore job opportunities, and the RJD’s counter-offer of a government job for each family, questioning if cash and benefits are the new tools to sway an aspirational electorate beyond historical caste loyalties.