Overview: Bihar’s 2025 Assembly Polls in Focus
The Bihar legislative assembly election landscape is shaping up as major political parties reveal seat-sharing arrangements, ink new candidacy lists, and sharpen their campaign strategy ahead of the two-phased vote slated for November. With alliances under the Mahagathbandhan and the BJP-led NDA, the state is witnessing a flurry of negotiations, resignations, and tactical moves that could influence the electoral map in the 243-seat house.
Seat-Sharing Talks: Mahagathbandhan and NDA
Recent discussions centered on the Mahagathbandhan partners, including the RJD and Congress, finalizing seat-sharing arrangements. Tejashwi Yadav, a key RJD leader, met Congress leaders to smooth out the distribution of constituencies between the alliance members. The parties are navigating claims and counter-claims about strongholds, with the aim of avoiding intra-alliance conflicts on the campaign trail.
Meanwhile, the NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), has also conducted deliberations to settle a formula that allows them to maximize seat coverage. Reports indicate both major alliances planned to contest roughly 101 seats each, with smaller allies carving out 29 seats for the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and six seats apiece for Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. These numbers may evolve as negotiations continue in Delhi and Patna, with local concerns and candidate quality playing a pivotal role.
<h2 High-Profile Candidate Moves and Party Realignments
A noteworthy development involves the BJP’s recruitment of two former opposition leaders who had previously won on RJD and Congress tickets. Sangita Kumari and Siddharth Saurav were welcomed into the BJP fold as part of a broader strategy to bolster capability in key constituencies. Such shifts reflect the fluid nature of Bihar politics, where defections and re-alignments can quickly alter the electoral terrain.
In another layer of the game, the Election Commission has initiated random distribution exercises of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and paper trail units to ensure transparency and build voter confidence ahead of the first phase on November 6. The EMS-based randomisation, conducted in the presence of party representatives, underscores the state’s commitment to credible electoral processes during a high-stakes campaign season.
<h2 Legal and Corporate Ramifications
Political discourse has also touched on legal scrutiny around alleged irregularities in governance. The BJP has intensified its attacks on the RJD, citing contract awards and land issues as part of its governance critique. A recent court proceeding involving Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav set the stage for a courtroom-driven narrative that the opposition hopes to counter in the public arena. These legal developments are shaping the narrative around accountability and corruption as Bihar voters prepare to cast their ballots.
<h2 Campaign Timelines and Electoral Milestones
The electoral calendar for Bihar 2025 includes a two-phase voting schedule, with the first phase on November 6 and the second on November 11. Counting is scheduled for November 14. Voter rolls exceed 7 crore, highlighting the scale and complexity of Bihar’s democracy. Leaders emphasize a united NDA front and a cohesive Mahagathbandhan, each aiming to translate strategic seat distributions into strong showings on polling day.
<h3 What to Watch In the Coming Weeks
- Finalization of the seat-sharing formula between NDA constituents and Mahagathbandhan partners.
- Formal candidate lists release by each alliance, including swaps and new entrants.
- Further high-profile rallies and potential cross-party endorsements or resignations in constituencies that could swing results.
- Official monitoring of EVM and VVPAT deployment to ensure transparency.
<h2 Conclusion: A Turbulent, Yet Predictable Path to the Polls
As Bihar moves toward the November polls, the battle lines are taking shape with the NDA and Mahagathbandhan each plotting to optimize their seat shares while managing internal dynamics. The coming weeks will likely bring more candidate announcements, strategic seat swaps, and intensified campaigning as Bihar prepares to decide its political direction for the next five years.
