Key Points:
- Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for late 2025; political preparations intensify
- NDA leader Sanjay Jha predicts surpassing 2010 record of 206 seats
- PM Modi’s Mauritius visit highlights Bihar’s cultural ties; makhana and Bhojpuri references dominate diplomacy
- NDA aims for unity under Nitish Kumar, while RJD-led opposition promises reforms
- Close contests in past elections set the stage for high-stakes battle
Patna: The political temperature in Bihar is rising as the state gears up for its Assembly elections later this year, likely in October or November. With stakes high, parties have already begun their campaigns, making bold predictions and leveraging cultural diplomacy to woo voters.
NDA Predicts Record-Breaking Victory
Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Sanjay Jha has confidently declared that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will break its previous record of 206 seats won in the 2010 Assembly elections. Speaking in an interview, Jha stated, “This time, NDA will surpass its earlier achievement and secure more than 206 seats.” With a total of 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly and 122 needed for a majority, this prediction sets an ambitious tone for the alliance’s campaign.
In the last Assembly elections held in 2020, the NDA secured a narrow victory with 125 seats—74 won by BJP and 43 by JDU—while the opposition Grand Alliance led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) claimed 110 seats. Despite BJP emerging as the largest party within the NDA, Nitish Kumar retained his position as Chief Minister due to his longstanding leadership appeal.
PM Modi’s Cultural Diplomacy Signals Focus on Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius further underscores the significance of Bihar in national politics. Mauritius, often referred to as “mini Bihar” due to its large Bihari diaspora, became a stage for PM Modi to highlight cultural ties. Starting his speech in Bhojpuri and presenting makhana (fox nuts) from Bihar to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, Modi emphasized Bihar’s rich heritage. This symbolic gesture aligns with BJP’s strategy to connect with voters ahead of the elections.
During his visit, PM Modi was welcomed with traditional Bhojpuri songs, showcasing Bihar’s cultural influence on Mauritius since its indentured labor migration era starting in 1834. These efforts reflect BJP’s intent to strengthen its appeal among Bihari voters by celebrating their identity on global platforms.
Challenges from Opposition
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Tejashwi Yadav, poses a formidable challenge to the NDA. Tejashwi has promised transformative reforms, including financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month for women heads of households under the “Maai Bahin Maan Yojana,” free electricity up to 200 units, pensions for vulnerable groups, and job creation initiatives. These promises echo successful welfare models implemented by other regional parties like AAP in Delhi.
Despite RJD’s bold promises, it faces hurdles following its poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Out of 40 parliamentary seats in Bihar, NDA secured a dominant victory with 30 seats while RJD managed only four. Congress fared similarly poorly with just three wins.
Unity Within NDA Amid High Stakes
The NDA has set an ambitious target of winning 225 seats this year. Leaders are emphasizing unity within the coalition as they strive to counter opposition forces. Joint district-level meetings are being organized to ensure cohesion among alliance members under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
JDU spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan highlighted Nitish Kumar’s appeal as both a seasoned administrator and a socialist leader who transcends nepotistic politics often associated with rival parties. The alliance is banking on its “double-engine government” narrative leveraging central support alongside state governance to win over voters.
Close Contests Set Stage for High-Stakes Battle
The upcoming elections promise intense competition reminiscent of past close contests. In 2020, NDA narrowly crossed the halfway mark with 125 seats against Grand Alliance’s 110. Similarly, RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats but fell short of forming a government.
With preparations underway and bold claims dominating political discourse, Bihar is poised for one of its most significant electoral battles in recent years. Whether NDA can achieve its ambitious goal or if opposition forces can turn the tide remains to be seen as campaigning intensifies across the state.
