The Barari Assembly constituency, located in Katihar district, Bihar, India, is an important legislative area near the Kosi River, forming one of the six assembly segments within the Katihar Lok Sabha constituency. It includes Barari, Sameli, and Kursela community development blocks, as per the 2008 Delimitation Order. The constituency is close to the Karhagola Road railway station and is home to the historic Laxmipur gurdwara.
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Constituency Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Constituency | Barari Assembly Constituency (No. 68) |
| Nature of Seat | General |
| District | Katihar |
| Total Voters | 271,982 (as of 2020 Assembly Election) |
| Number of Booths | Not explicitly available, estimated 300–350 based on similar constituencies |
| Dominant Community | No single dominant community; significant populations include Muslims (29.8%), Scheduled Castes (8.75%), and Scheduled Tribes (3.61%) |
Read Also: Banmankhi Assembly Constituency
Barari Assembly Constituency Election 2020 Results
| S.No. | Party | Candidate | Votes | % Votes |
| 1 | JD(U) | Bijay Singh Nishad | 81,752 | 44.71% |
| 2 | RJD | Neeraj Kumar | 71,314 | 39.00% |
| 3 | LJP | Bibhash Chandra Choudhary | 7,920 | 4.33% |
| 4 | AIMIM | Rakesh Kumar Raushan | 6,598 | 3.61% |
| 5 | Independent | Srikant Mandal | 1,943 | 1.06% |
| 6 | NOTA | None of the above | 3,652 | 2.00% |
Winner: Bijay Singh Nishad (JDU) defeated Neeraj Kumar (RJD) by a margin of 10,438 votes
Read Also: Bankipur Assembly Constituency
Barari Assembly Constituency Election 2015 Results
| S.No. | Party | Candidate | Votes | % Votes |
| 1 | RJD | Neeraj Kumar | 71,175 | 43.14% |
| 2 | BJP | Bibhash Chandra Choudhary | 56,839 | 34.45% |
| 3 | NCP | Muhammad Shakur | 11,002 | 6.67% |
| 4 | Independent | Kailash Sahani | 8,484 | 5.14% |
| 5 | Independent | Muhammad Israil | 3,597 | 2.18% |
| 6 | CPI | Dinesh Prasad Yadav | 2,406 | 1.46% |
| 7 | Independent | Yugal Kishor Sah | 2,078 | 1.26% |
| 8 | NOTA | None of the above | 2,344 | 1.42% |
Winner: Neeraj Kumar (RJD) defeated Bibhash Chandra Choudhary (BJP) by a margin of 14,336 votes
Read Also: Banka Assembly Constituency
Barari Assembly Constituency Election 2010 Results
| S.No. | Party | Candidate | Votes | % Votes |
| 1 | BJP | Bibhasha Chandra | 58,104 | 42.48% |
| 2 | NCP | Mohammed Shakoor | 30,936 | 22.62% |
| 3 | RJD | Mansoor Alam | 21,221 | 15.52% |
| 4 | INC | Sanyogita Singh | 10,822 | 7.92% |
| 5 | CPI | Dinesh Prasad Yadav | 5,219 | 3.82% |
| 6 | Independent | Prakash Mandal | 3,853 | 2.82% |
| 7 | Independent | Umesh Prasad Singh | 1,926 | 1.41% |
Winner: Bibhasha Chandra (BJP) defeated Mohammed Shakoor (NCP) by a margin of 27,168 votes
Read Also: Baniapur Assembly Constituency
Barari Assembly Constituency SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
- Engaged Electorate: 282,738 voters (2024), 67.24% turnout in 2020, above state average.
- Agricultural Base: Fertile Kosi River region supports paddy, wheat, banana cultivation.
- Connectivity: Proximity to NH-31 and Katihar Junction railway station.
- Competitive Politics: Diverse party wins (BJP, RJD, JD(U), NCP, independents).
- Cultural Landmark: Laxmipur Aitihasik Gurudwara fosters community cohesion.
Weaknesses:
- Flood Prone: Kosi River floods disrupt agriculture and infrastructure.
- Economic Limitation: Heavy reliance on agriculture and migration, low industrial growth.
- Underdeveloped Infrastructure: Limited healthcare, education, and flood defenses.
- Voter List Issues: Concerns over selective voter deletions.
- Unstable Party Loyalty: Frequent shifts in voter preference.
Opportunities:
- Flood Management: Investments in embankments and irrigation can gain voter support.
- Agricultural Modernization: High-yield crops, organic farming to boost economy.
- Infrastructure Growth: Expand roads, healthcare, and education facilities.
- Inclusive Campaigns: Appeal to Muslims (29.8%), SC (8.75%), ST (3.61%), and OBCs.
- Job Creation: Focus on local employment to curb migration.
Threats:
- Flood-Related Discontent: Unaddressed floods may fuel anti-incumbency.
- Political Instability: MLA defections and turncoats risk voter trust.
- Voter Disenfranchisement: Alleged voter list issues could reduce turnout.
- Economic Vulnerability: Dependence on remittances risks external disruptions.
- Community Polarization: Caste/communal divides may fragment voter base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the current MLA of Barari?
Bijay Singh Nishad (JDU) is the incumbent MLA, elected in 2020 elections.
How many voters are there in the Barari Assembly constituency?
There are 271,982 registered voters for the 2020 elections.
What was the voter turnout in the Barari Assembly constituency?
The voter turnout in the Barari Assembly constituency was 182,851.
Which political parties are contesting in Barari in 2020?
Major parties like JDU, RJD, LJP, AIMIM and independents.
What is the political significance of Barari in the Bihar elections?
Barari is politically significant in Bihar elections due to its diverse electorate, competitive multi-party contests, and key issues like flood management and agriculture that influence voter priorities.
Resources:
[1.] Barari Assembly constituency – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barari_Assembly_constituency
[2.] Barari Assembly constituency Katihar district, Bihar https://chanakyya.com/Assembly-Details/Bihar/Barari
[3.] Barari Assembly constituency Katihar district, Bihar https://www.oneindia.com/barari-assembly-elections-br-68/
