Mahishi is a general category Assembly constituency located in Bihar’s Saharsa district. It forms part of the Madhepura Lok Sabha seat. It comprises the Nauhatta and Sattar Katiya community development blocks, along with 11 gram panchayats of Mahishi block including Baghwa, Birgaun, Manwar, Telwa East, Telwa West, Bhalahi, Kundah, Mahisarho, Telhar, Pastpar and Arapatti. The region lies in the floodplains of the Koshi River and is part of the culturally rich Mithila region. Maithili is the dominant language, and agriculture remains the primary occupation, with paddy, maize, and pulses forming the backbone of the local economy. Small-scale dairy activity and seasonal vegetable cultivation supplement household incomes.

Mahishi, quintessentially a village, is also a block headquarters and an important religious centre. It is home to the ancient Shaktipeeth of Goddess Ugratara, which draws lakhs of devotees during the Dussehra festival. The temple’s spiritual significance and the annual congregation of pilgrims make Mahishi a revered spiritual centre that draws pilgrims year-round, and lends Mahishi a distinct cultural identity within the Mithila region.

The name ‘Mahishi’ is believed to be derived from the legend of Mahishi, a buffalo-headed demoness from Hindu mythology whom Lord Ayyappan slew. While the mythological Mahishi, sister of buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura, is more closely associated with southern India, the name’s presence in Bihar may reflect ancient cultural exchanges and the region’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions.

Established in 1967, Mahishi has witnessed 14 Assembly elections so far. The Congress party won the seat four times in 1969, 1972, 1980 and 1985, through Lahtan Chaudhary, a prominent leader of the region. Abdul Ghafoor, a former Bihar minister, won the seat four times as well – on the Janata Dal ticket in 1995 and as an RJD candidate in 2000, 2010 and 2015. Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United) have won twice each, while the Samyukta Socialist Party, Janata Party and an Independent candidate have secured one victory apiece.

Mahishi had 298,343 registered voters in the 2020 Assembly polls. As per 2011 Census-based estimates, Scheduled Caste voters numbered around 50,927 (17.07 percent) and Muslim voters stood at 60,563 (20.30 percent). Yadavs formed a strong voting bloc, constituting 54,596 voters (18.30 percent). The constituency recorded a voter turnout of 58.81 percent in 2020, the highest in the last three elections. By the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the number of registered voters had increased to 306,624, with the Election Commission reporting a migration of 3,926 voters between the two elections.

In the 2020 Assembly election, JD(U)’s Gunjeshwar Sah won the seat by a narrow margin of 1,630 votes, defeating RJD’s Gautam Krishna. The JD(U) secured the victory despite the presence of LJP, which had exited the NDA and fielded candidates across Bihar to target JD(U). In Mahishi, LJP polled 22,110 votes, splitting the NDA vote and nearly costing JD(U) the seat. However, with LJP back in the NDA fold, JD(U) increased its lead to 10,963 votes in the Mahishi Assembly segment during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, indicating a consolidation of alliance support.

Geographically, Mahishi lies in the north-central part of Bihar, close to the Saharsa and Darbhanga district borders. It is situated approximately 18 km west of Saharsa town, the district headquarters, and about 40 km southeast of Madhubani. Darbhanga lies roughly 55 km to the northwest, while Patna, the state capital, is located around 180 km southwest of Mahishi. Other nearby towns include Nauhatta (10 km north), Sattar Katiya (12 km east), and Bangaon (20 km south). The region is flood-prone due to its proximity to the Koshi River and its network of small rivers, canals and ponds, which also support a diversified aquatic ecosystem.

Mahishi is well-connected by road. The nearest railway station is at Saharsa. Despite its rural character, Mahishi has seen gradual improvements in road infrastructure and school enrolment, though challenges persist in flood management, irrigation, and healthcare access.

As the 2025 Assembly elections approach, JD(U) enters the fray with a strengthened alliance, while RJD seeks to reclaim lost ground. Mahishi’s caste composition, religious significance, and history of close contests make it a seat where political fortunes might once again hang by a thread, given its history of unpredictable outcomes. 
 

(Ajay Jha)

Gunjeshwar Shah

JD(U)

Dr. Abdul Ghafoor

RJD

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