With the Uttar Pradesh elections approaching in 2027, political parties are making strategic efforts to attract the Nishad community, which is estimated to represent 18-20% of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) votes in the state. The Central government appointed Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, a member of the Nishad community, as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), a move seen as pivotal in garnering support from this demographic. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has appointed Rukmani Devi Nishad, sister of the late bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi, as chief of its women's wing in Uttar Pradesh. This appointment aims to resonate with female voters and honor Phoolan Devi's legacy. In response, Sanjay Nishad, the chief of the Nishad Party and Uttar Pradesh's Fisheries Minister, is actively mobilizing community support through events and emphasizing the need for addressing reservation-related issues. He has criticized the SP for its delayed recognition of the Nishad community, questioning their commitment to honoring Phoolan Devi. The Nishad community's political significance extends to various states, including Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, where they are classified under different categories. The upcoming elections are expected to see intensified competition for the Nishad vote bank.