Patna| The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 have emerged as a decisive moment in Indian politics — marked by unstable alliances, ideological shifts, and a direct contest between youthful dynamism and seasoned political experience. The outcome is expected to shape not only Bihar’s political trajectory but also influence national power equations ahead of 2026.
This election stands apart from its predecessors, largely due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s repeated political realignments. His recent return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for a record ninth term as Chief Minister has transformed the battlefield. The NDA now comprises the BJP, Janata Dal (United), and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) — a coalition banking on development and governance, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity as its central pillar.
However, Nitish Kumar’s credibility crisis following his frequent switches remains a concern. Reports of discontent among smaller allies over seat-sharing and weak performances in regions like Magadh have added to the NDA’s unease.
On the opposite end, Tejashwi Yadav, the young leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has emerged as the unquestioned face of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan), which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties (CPI, CPI-ML). Tejashwi’s campaign has revolved around employment and inclusive growth, as he seeks to blend his father Lalu Prasad Yadav’s social justice legacy with a new narrative of economic empowerment.
Projecting himself as a visionary reformer, Tejashwi is taking on the NDA’s “double engine” governance model, branding it as a “double jungle raj”, citing law-and-order lapses under the current regime. Meanwhile, the NDA is reviving old fears of misgovernance under the RJD to rally its core voters.
Caste equations continue to play a defining role. The Yadav-Muslim (MY) combination remains the RJD’s backbone, while the NDA banks on Kurmi-Koeri, upper-caste, and Dalit support. Smaller regional players such as Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) could be crucial, particularly in Mithilanchal and Magadh regions. The VIP, now aligned with the Grand Alliance, wields notable influence among the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
Beyond caste, issues like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth employment have become central to the discourse. Tejashwi’s renewed promise of 10 lakh government jobs has struck a chord with first-time voters, while the NDA’s emphasis remains on continuity, governance, and national stability.
Early 2025 surveys gave the NDA a slight edge, but Tejashwi’s aggressive grassroots campaign has turned the race into a photo finish. Analysts predict that the final outcome could hinge on marginal seats — much like in 2020, where some constituencies were decided by a few hundred votes.
Adding an intriguing twist to the contest is the entry of the Jan Suraj Party, founded by Prashant Kishor — the celebrated political strategist who once crafted campaigns for Modi, Nitish, and the Congress. Contesting all 243 seats, the party has fielded candidates from diverse professional backgrounds — bureaucrats, academics, scientists, and intellectuals — breaking the mold of traditional politics.
Since launching the Jan Suraj campaign in 2022, Kishor has walked over 3,000 kilometers across Bihar, aiming to awaken citizens to the roots of the state’s stagnation and corruption. His entry has injected a new dimension — an appeal to educated and urban voters seeking a break from conventional politics.
In essence, the Bihar 2025 elections symbolize a battle between stability and change, between experience and youthful aspiration, and between traditional caste loyalties and emerging economic narratives.
As the campaign intensifies, one thing is clear: Bihar’s verdict will reverberate far beyond Patna — potentially redrawing the contours of Indian politics.
