The concept of the "vote bank" was first highlighted in the writings of Indian sociologist and political scientist M. N. Srinivas. He used the term to describe how certain political parties in India built a loyal base of voters, typically from specific caste, religious, or community groups, by catering to their needs and interests through patronage and policies. This concept has since become widely used in Indian political discourse to explain how politicians mobilize support by focusing on identity-based groups rather than broader ideological platforms.
M. N. Srinivas in his 1955 paper entitled The Social System of a Mysore Village.