Patna: Union Minister and veteran BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan is currently serving as the party’s Election In-Charge for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections is piloting the National Democratic Alliance’s campaign strategy.
The primary forte of Dharmendra Pradhan that is significantly aiding the BJP in the Bihar Assembly elections lies in his combination of proven electoral strategy, deft coalition management, and deep organizational connect.
Shri Pradhan is viewed by the BJP as a highly effective political strategist with a consistent record of delivering victories in challenging states.
His recent leadership as the party’s in-charge was credited with the BJP’s success in forming the government for the first time in Odisha and securing a third consecutive term in Haryana. This track record gives his strategies high credibility within the party.
Shri Pradhan’s primary focus in Bihar has been on coalition management and setting the electoral narrative for the NDA. His diplomatic efforts were instrumental in successfully finalizing the contentious seat-sharing agreement among the alliance partners.
Shri Pradhan’s calm negotiation style and political tact were crucial in settling the deal, notably his late-night negotiations that secured the acceptance of the formula by key partners like Chirag Paswan.
His ability to ensure a united front among the allies, while navigating the demands of the Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is seen as his biggest operational strength.
Under the formula he steered, the BJP and Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 seats each in the 243-member Assembly, with the remaining seats distributed among allies like Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. This resolution followed intense negotiations, including a late-night breakthrough to finalize the deal with Chirag Paswan’s party.
The Union Minister has been actively involved in ground-level campaigning, including door-to-door outreach in Patna constituencies. He has consistently championed the theme of alliance unity.
In his public statements, Shri Pradhan has been forceful in arguing that a feeling of “pro-incumbency” exists in the state, driven by people’s aspirations and their trust in the NDA to deliver on development, law and order, and infrastructure.
He was also present in Patna for the joint release of the NDA’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto), which promises to create one crore jobs for the youth, a top-up of ₹3,000 for farmers on the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, and major infrastructure projects.
Shri Pradhan has been vocal in attacking the opposition’s claims, contrasting the NDA’s “honest Sankalp Patra” with what he terms the opposition’s political rhetoric, particularly on issues of governance and development.
His presence underscores the BJP’s decision to deploy a senior, results-oriented political strategist with past experience in Bihar—he served as a Rajya Sabha MP from the state and was co-incharge during the successful 2010 Assembly polls—to secure a decisive victory for the alliance.
The BJP is leveraging Shri Pradhan’s reputation as an experienced troubleshooter and alliance manager who can ensure the NDA presents a united political and social platform while effectively implementing a campaign strategy that focuses on good governance, trust, and development.