Puja and Politics Go Together This Bihar Election

Why the Paswan vote bank is crucial for the BJP to form the next government in Bihar.

60-year-old Sumitra made an early morning 80-kilometre-trip to Samastipur to cast her vote. (Photo: The Quint)

Sumitra Devi, 60, is putting the finishing touches on Mahishasur. She makes idols for a living, an art she learned from her husband who is out buying colours to paint the entire tableau. With less than a week to go for the Durga Puja celebrations, the couple has no time to lose, but still made time to travel from Patna to Samastipur to vote for Ram Vilas Paswan.

When Ram Vilas Paswan was Chief Minister, he gave us a licence to work here. He’s the one who’s looking out for the poor.
— Sumitra Devi, Artist

What will she do when Durga Puja ends? “I will start work on Lakshmi Puja”, says the grandmother of six.

(Video editing by Sunil Goswami)