The BJP’s advantage over Congress was greater among lower OBCs than upper OBCs. These headline figures, however, do not tell us about the state-wise differences in OBC support for the two parties. NES data also show a significant increase in BJP’s OBC support in both categories of states in 2014. The Congress, on the other hand, has been losing OBC support even in its traditional strongholds. Among lower OBC voters, roughly one in five identified themselves as traditional supporters of the BJP.

Source: Mint November 15, 2017 01:41 UTC