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KATIHAR: Laxman Ram is unwilling to talk about anyone except PM Modi. “We all watch TV and read newspaper. We know who is better for the country,” said the 66-year-old labourer, a resident of the Garatola village on NH 57 in Bihar ’s Jhanjharpur Lok Sabha seat. “Modi should come again as the PM.”Sukan Ram joins in and says: “We have toilets and gas cylinders in every house. One cylinder gets over in 22 days and I go for another one. All this has been possible because of Modi.”In the past five years, since the BJP came to power at the Centre, a new voter base that roots for Modi has emerged in Bihar. These voters defy the social and caste equations in a state where elections have mostly been fought on caste lines.The ‘vote for Modi’ sentiment is well noticeable when travelling through the Mithilanchal, Seemanchal and Kosi areas, which cover 19 of Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats.In Kariho village on the Supaul-Madhepura road, three youngsters were in a discussion outside a small shop. Nineteen-year-old Vinay Kumar Ram of Ward 18 is a firsttime voter and is quite clear about his choice. “I like Modi. He is the best PM we have ever got.”Deepak Kumar Ram, 22, works in Punjab and has come to his village to vote. “I will go back after voting. There is nothing about caste and leader. I like Modi.”Traditionally, Lalu Prasad’s RJD had enjoyed the support of the Ravidas, a scheduled caste community in this part of Bihar. However, chief minister Nitish Kumar created a new group, Mahadalit, and small castes like the Ravidas went with him. While Kumar’s JDU is an ally of BJP, many members of the community say they would vote for the alliance because of Modi.“Modi has not done anything for my family. But he must have done for others. We are voting for Modi,” said Pinki Devi, a housewife in Katihar town belonging to the Ravidas community.The opposition grand alliance of the Congress and RJD is betting big on its tie-ups with caste-based parties. With Nishad leader Mukesh Sahni’s Vikasshil Insan Party joining the grand alliance, it is hopeful of getting a chunk of the votes from the community. Its hope lies also on the Kushwaha and Mushar votes too. However, on the ground, that may not the case. “Till the time Sahni had not joined RJD and Congress, we supported him,” said 25-year-old BA student Pankaj Kumar Mukhiya of village Kariho.Surendra Mukhiya of Madhepura said his vote would go to ‘teer’ (arrow) — the symbol of JDU.