Patna: The current political landscape and pre-election discussions, here are some of the most interesting and central issues shaping the Bihar Assembly Election 2025:
Battle for Jobs VS Welfare
This is arguably the most prominent and stark divide between the major alliances:
Mass Government Employment Promises (RJD-led Mahagathbandhan): The opposition, particularly the RJD and its leader Tejashwi Yadav, has made a promise for mass government jobs and employment generation a single-point, central agenda. The appeal is immense in a state with high youth unemployment.
Welfare, Infrastructure, and Skilling (NDA): The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is campaigning on its record of welfare schemes over the last decade (like houses, toilets, tap water, gas cylinders) and a massive push for infrastructure development. Their manifesto focuses on youth empowerment through skilling, private sector job creation, and supporting women through schemes like “Lakhpati Didi.”
Dominance of EBC
The findings of the recent Caste Census have profoundly impacted political strategy, bringing the EBC category (which makes up a significant percentage of the population) to the forefront:
EBC Mobilization: Both alliances are aggressively trying to court the EBC vote bank, which is seen as the decisive factor in the election.
Representation vs. Welfare: The election is testing whether the EBCs will prioritize proportional political representation (a key demand following the census) or remain loyal to targeted welfare schemes offered by the current government.
Challenge to Nitish Legacy
Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, often called the ‘Vikas Purush’ (Development Man) for his focus on governance and law and order, is facing one of his most challenging elections:
Anti-Incumbency: After almost two decades in power, a strong anti-incumbency sentiment and voter fatigue are key challenges for the NDA.
Leadership Succession: His age and multiple alliance shifts have raised questions about his long-term future, with the NDA itself not always explicitly naming him as the sole face. A defeat would likely trigger a major succession crisis for his party, the JD(U).
‘X-Factor’ of PK
The entry of poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj (People’s Good Governance) movement is creating a unique third arc:
New Political Narrative: Shri Kishor is attempting to disrupt the long-standing, caste-based political duopoly by offering a non-aligned, governance-focused alternative.
Impact on Vote Share: The key interesting issue is whether Jan Suraaj can convert its ground-level visibility and his personal brand into actual votes and seats, or if it will simply act as a “vote cutter,” drawing votes away from the main alliances.
Intra-Alliance Dynamics
The stability and internal dynamics of the major alliances are a constant point of interest:
Tejashwi Yadav’s Leadership: The election is a crucial test for Tejashwi Yadav to prove he can lead the RJD and its allies to victory, moving beyond the shadow of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Chirag Paswan’s Ascent: Chirag Paswan (LJP-RV) has significantly elevated his political stature and, with his high vote share and Lok Sabha success, has become a potential kingmaker, much to the discomfort of some NDA partners.
This election is shaping up as a pivotal contest that will not only decide the future of Bihar but also provide significant insights into national political trends, particularly around caste and youth aspirations.