2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election
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Get ready, Bihar! The stage is set for the 2025 Legislative Assembly elections, with voting on November 6th and 11th, and the results rolling in on the 14th. This isn't just any election; it's a pivotal moment shaped by shifting alliances and pressing local concerns.
Remember the 2020 elections? The National Democratic Alliance took the reins, with Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister. But the political landscape in Bihar is a dynamic one. By August 2022, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) had charted a new course, joining forces with the RJD's Mahagathbandhan. Then, in a surprising turn of events in January 2024, the JD(U) once again realigned, this time with the BJP-led NDA.
This year, the Election Commission of India has announced the schedule, and the campaign trail is buzzing. Local issues and socio-economic challenges are front and center. Unemployment and migration are major talking points, with parties promising job creation for Bihar's youth. And yes, caste politics continues to play a significant role, with all major players pledging support for a caste census and measures for social justice.
The opposition is highlighting corruption and governance, while the ruling alliance is firing back, recalling the RJD's past and showcasing their own welfare achievements. A significant point of contention has been the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, with opposition parties crying foul, alleging partisan manipulation and threatening protests.
The NDA, a coalition of the BJP, JD(U), LJP(R), RLM, and HAM(S), is running on a platform of development and welfare, emphasizing Prime Minister Modi's leadership and Nitish Kumar's governance. The RJD, leading the INDIA bloc, is focusing on employment, youth issues, and anti-incumbency, with Tejashwi Yadav promising massive job creation and a digitally driven campaign.
The Congress, as part of the INDIA bloc, is amplifying the issues of youth migration and unemployment, with Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatra gaining traction. The AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, is making its presence felt with its "Seemanchal Nyay Yatra," aiming to connect with the people of the Seemanchal region. And then there's the Jan Suraaj Party, spearheaded by Prashant Kishor, positioning itself as a fresh alternative, promising candidate selection through primaries and a focus on governance, education, and clean politics.
The alliances are firming up: the NDA includes the BJP, JD(U), LJP(R), HAM(S), and smaller allies, with talks of a near-equal seat-sharing formula between the BJP and JD(U). The INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP, is reportedly settling its seat-sharing negotiations, with the RJD securing the largest share. The Jan Suraaj Party, however, stands firm on its decision to contest all 243 constituencies independently.
From high-tech digital outreach with AI-generated videos to traditional door-to-door campaigns and massive rallies, all parties are pulling out all the stops. Prime Minister Modi has held mega rallies, announcing significant infrastructure projects. Tejashwi Yadav is engaging with backward caste conventions and youth gatherings. Jan Suraaj's rally in Patna has drawn considerable crowds, marking the launch of their statewide campaign.
But it's not all smooth sailing. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging disenfranchisement and the matter reaching the Supreme Court. An incident involving a portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at an RJD event has also drawn criticism.
As the election approaches, keep an eye on the unfolding narratives, the shifting strategies, and the voices of the people of Bihar. This election is more than just a contest; it's a reflection of the state's aspirations and its evolving political landscape.
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The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election for all 243 constituencies is scheduled to be held on 6 and 11 November 2025, with counting on 14 November 2025. It will be conducted by the Election Commission of India.
== Background ==
The previous assembly elections were held in October–November 2020. After the election, the National Democratic Alliance formed the state government, with Nitish Kumar becoming Chief Minister. Later, in August 2022, Nitish Kumar led the JD(U) to sever ties with the NDA and formed a government with the RJD led by Mahagathbandhan. Later, in January 2024, Nitish Kumar led the JD(U) to sever ties with the RJD and once again formed a government with the BJP-led NDA.
== Schedule ==
Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Bihar Legislative Assembly election on 6 October 2025.
== Parties and alliances ==
=== National Democratic Alliance ===
=== Mahagathbandhan ===
=== Others ===
== Candidates ==
== Campaigns ==
The 2025 Bihar Assembly election campaign centered on a mix of local and socio-economic issues. Unemployment and migration were prominent themes: parties noted that many Bihar youth migrate out of state for work, and competing manifestos promised large-scale job creation. Caste politics also remained a key factor. All major parties pledged to support a new caste census and "social justice" measures, reflecting widespread calls to address the state's caste-based inequalities. Corruption and governance were attacked by the opposition; for example, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Nitish Kumar government of "institutionalising corruption" and misusing government schemes (like a women's outreach programme) for electioneering. The ruling alliance countered by criticizing the RJD's past ("jungle raj") and highlighting its own welfare record. A major flashpoint was the voter roll revision (Special Intensive Revision, SIR) carried out by the Election Commission. Opposition parties claimed the intensive revision was a partisan tool, alleging mass deletions of voters and promising protests or even an election boycott.
=== Party campaign strategies ===
NDA (BJP, JD(U), LJP(R),RLM,HAM(S)): The ruling coalition ran on a platform of development and social welfare. It emphasized caste-based outreach and welfare delivery, and frequently invoked Prime Minister Modi's leadership. The BJP also attacked the RJD over law and order and historic scams, while JD(U) emphasized Nitish Kumar's governance. Seat-sharing talks between BJP and JD(U) indicated a near-equal division.
RJD (leading INDIA bloc): The RJD centered its campaign on employment, youth issues, and anti-incumbency. Tejashwi Yadav pledged massive job creation and ran a digital-heavy campaign, including AI-generated videos and memes. The RJD organized backward caste meetings and positioned itself as the party of Dalits, OBCs, and the poor.
Congress: As a partner in the INDIA bloc, the Congress highlighted youth migration and unemployment, notably through leader Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatra. Rahul Gandhi planned a multi-day campaign tour of Bihar in August 2025, criticizing voter list issues and advocating electoral reforms.
AIMIM: After failing to get response from the INDIA bloc despite repeated requests for a place in the opposition alliance, the AIMIM, headed by Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi, has sounded the poll bugle with its four-day “Seemanchal Nyay Yatra,”Owaisi, whose party won five assembly seats in the 2020 state elections, landed in Bihar on Tuesday to begin the “yatra”. Talking to reporters, he said AIMIM had already declared its active participation in the upcoming assembly elections, adding that the yatra reflects the party's commitment to this cause. “The election campaign has already begun,” Owaisi said, adding that during the four-day yatra he would visit several constituencies in the Seemanchal region, interact with people, and hold public meetings.
Jan Suraaj Party: Led by Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraaj positioned itself as an alternative to both NDA and the INDIA bloc. Kishor organized the Bihar Badlav Yatra, pledged to contest all 243 seats, and focused on governance, education, and clean politics. Between October 2022 and October 2024, he undertook padayatra across Bihar, walking over 5,000 km and visiting more than 5,500 villages to engage with local communities directly. At the party's launch, Kishor announced provisions such as candidate selection through US-style primaries, the right to recall legislators who fail to perform, and a pledge that 90% of candidates would be first-time contestants.
=== Alliances and seat-sharing ===
The NDA comprises BJP, JD(U), LJP(R), HAM(S), and smaller allies. JD(U) pushed for a 50:50 seat-sharing formula with the BJP. LJP(R) leader Chirag Paswan publicly backed Nitish Kumar as CM face.
The INDIA bloc includes RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP. Negotiations among allies were reportedly settled by mid-2025, with RJD taking the largest share.
Jan Suraaj Party has announced that it will contest all 243 assembly constituencies independently.
=== Digital and ground-level campaigning ===
All parties engaged in a mix of high-tech outreach and traditional campaigning. RJD's social media team went viral with AI-based videos mocking rivals, while BJP and JD(U) used WhatsApp groups and door-to-door campaigns, especially through women vistaraks. Congress focused on planned public rallies, while Jan Suraaj relied on grassroots mobilisation through panchayat visits and Prashant Kishor’s statewide padayatra.
=== Campaign controversies ===
The most prominent controversy surrounded the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Opposition parties alleged disenfranchisement of minorities and migrants. The matter reached the Supreme Court and became a centerpiece of the INDIA bloc's protests.
An incident involving a portrait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at an RJD event triggered backlash. NDA leaders and the SC/ST Commission condemned it, demanding apologies. The RJD termed it political vendetta.
=== Major rallies and events ===
Prime Minister Modi held mega rallies in Motihari and Siwan, announcing infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores. Tejashwi Yadav addressed backward caste conventions and youth-focused meetings. Jan Suraaj's Gandhi Maidan rally in Patna drew significant crowds and launched the party's full-state tour. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi planned joint INDIA bloc rallies in August and September.
== Controversies ==
=== Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ===
On 24 June 2025, the Election Commission (EC) notified that it will conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar before the elections. The exercise requires all the voters from the state to fill forms to be included in the voter list. People whose names were not in the 2003 voter lists need to provide additional documents. The notification also mentioned that the documents needed to be submitted within a month (with 25 July being the deadline).
Further, the voters need to provide one of the eleven documents mandated by the EC, with the common documents such as the Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards, not included as valid documents. A significant number of people in Bihar do not have any of the 11 documents. Furthermore, a significant population of the state migrate in other parts of India for work or study and it is estimated that at least 75 lakh (7.5 million) people from Bihar migrate to other parts of India. Critics have argued it would be difficult for such voters to be a part of this exercise. Such factors have led to fears of mass exclusion of voters. Opposition parties – such as the INDIA alliance – alleged that such an exercise will favor the ruling NDA alliance. The Election Commission denied these allegations and claimed that the exercise is lawful and constitutional.
The SIR was challenged in the Supreme Court. On 10 July, the court advised the Election Commission to consider the Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards as valid documents for the exercise. On 21 July, the Election Commission responded by saying that it will not accept the Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards as valid documents, as suggested by the Supreme Court.
In August, Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition, Bihar, alleged his name was removed from the voter list after the SIR exercise. The Election commission dismissed the allegations as factually incorrect and declared the EPIC number shown by him to the media was fake. The poll body asked him to submit the fake voter ID card to the ECI office by 16 August 2025.
In August 2025, Rahul Gandhi made allegations against BJP about election commission. The ECI dismissed the allegations as misleading, and asked him to submit the allegations under oath or apologise to the nation.
== Surveys and polls ==
=== Opinion polls ===
=== Exit polls ===
== Results ==
=== Results by alliance or party ===
=== Results by district ===
=== Results by constituency ===
== See also ==
2025 elections in India
2025 Indian electoral controversy
Akhtarul Iman – Indian politician based in Bihar
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen – Political party in India
Bharatiya Janata Party – Indian political party
Elections in Bihar – Overview of the procedure of elections in the Indian state of Bihar
Jan Suraaj Party
Mahagadhbandhan – Political alliance
Nitish Kumar – Chief Minister of Bihar since 2015
Pashupati Kumar Paras – Indian politician
Politics of Bihar – Overview of politics in the Indian state of Bihar
Prashant Kishor – Indian politician
Tejashwi Yadav – 5th Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar
== References ==
== External links ==
Election Commission of Bihar Constituency wise information Official Portal
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