How identity politics plays a significant role in general, state elections

No more than 10 per cent would actively choose a political leader from a different caste

For years political scientists have struggled to understand the correlation between caste and election. A new 2018 study suggests a majority of Indians prefer political leaders from their own caste, indicating how identity politics plays a significant role in the general and state elections. This was more prevalent among illiterates across caste and religious groups.
 
Across eight states — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Telangana — 55 Indians out of 100 would prefer a political leader from their own caste and religion, found the study, ‘Politics And Society Between Elections 2018’, carried out by