Bihar Election 2025
The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for 6 and 11 November 2025 to elect 243 members.
Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations. -George Orwell
Major alliances like NDA and INDIA are contesting, the battle is getting more interesting with the entry of Jan Suraaj party led by Prashant Kishore, who was political advisor of Narendra Modi during his successful stint in the 2014 LS election.
About two decades ago, when Bihar decisively voted to oust the Lalu-led government, many breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Bihar, being in a state of extreme backwardness, darkness, poverty, unending migration, so many types of discrimination, and with a greater participation in bureaucracy, always attracted me as a case study.
Yes, I am a Bihari.
As a bona fide Bihari, I am qualified to provide a genuine analysis and write this article just before the next Bihar Assembly election, where the Election Commission of India is introducing several new parameters.
As a true Bihari with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape, I am well-equipped to analyze and discuss the upcoming Bihar Assembly election. This election is significant, as the Election Commission of India has introduced several new parameters aimed at enhancing the electoral process. These changes include updated voter registration procedures, the implementation of electronic voting machines in more areas, and measures to ensure greater transparency and voter accessibility. By examining these developments, I hope to shed light on their potential impact on the election and the future of governance in Bihar.
Sir, how is this ‘SIR’?
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an electoral roll updating initiative organized by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Its purpose is to verify and meticulously check the voter list.
The main objectives of SIR are to ensure the inclusion of eligible voters, remove duplicate entries, and update the details of deceased or relocated voters.
Through these efforts, SIR plays a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and credibility of India’s electoral system, ultimately strengthening the democratic process.
Starting with the ongoing process of the Bihar assembly election, SIR invited more criticism than accolades for being biased, selective deletion of voters, inefficient and faulty measures to carry out the survey, and other serious allegations from the opposition parties, as well as common people.
Bihar: A centrestage in Indian politics
Bihar: A Crucial Hub in Indian Politics
Bihar, the third-largest state in India in terms of population, plays a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape. Strategically located in the eastern part of India, it is known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Over the years, Bihar has been a battleground for various political ideologies and movements, making it a focal point for leaders and political parties.
The state’s diverse demographic composition, which comprises various castes and communities, influences its political dynamics. It has produced several prominent leaders who have left an indelible mark on national politics, such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Bihar’s political scene is characterized by a vibrant mix of regional and national parties, often resulting in coalition governments that reflect the state’s complex social fabric.
Moreover, Bihar’s electoral outcomes often serve as a bellwether for broader trends in Indian politics, with its voters showcasing unique electoral behavior influenced by local issues such as caste, development, and law and order. Therefore, understanding Bihar is crucial for comprehending India’s overall political landscape.
History bears witness to the fact that the spark of revolution was ignited in Bihar, which led India towards a transformative new direction.
At the same time, history testifies that despite being at the centre of the political scenario, Bihar never gained the momentum it deserved.
I can aptly say that Bihar is still living in the dark ages.
Yes, we have many senior bureaucrats, powerful political leaders, scholars, and social reformers from Bihar, but Bihar is still lagging and limping with its deeply bruised and wounded soul.
Bihar: In my personal book
I am a proud Bihari for
- World’s first republic
- Birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism
- Nalanda and Vikramshila Centre of Learning, at a time when the world was still in its early stages in terms of education.
- Deep-rooted festivals like Chhath Puja, where devotion is still untouched by modernization.
- Cottage industries of Lac, Tussar Silk, Sikki grass items, Madhubani paintings, Handlooms.
- For its carefully conserved and guarded libraries, like the A N Sinha Library and the Khudabaksh Library in Patna.
- For Champaran, from where our tryst with freedom with the non-violent resistance movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917.
- For its revered place in Hindu mythology.
- There are pilgrimage places of almost all religions, which are followed by the world even today.
Bihar: Disappointments beyond words
A native of Bihar, my direct relatives live here, and I visit them anytime I wish to.
With my born, upbringing, and education journey from Bihar and Jharkhand (Jharkhand was part of Bihar before the 15th of November 2000), I can sum up that despite being a poor state, Bihar proves that education is the thread that inspires us to dream big and helps us move forward with our heads held high in pride.
My utter disappointments are:
- Political leaders are more scums than anything else.
- Bureaucrats have a lot to offer, but they either choose to serve other states instead of Bihar or fall prey to corruption or keep mum about all the illegal practices going around their working regions to avoid friction with mafias. Think Bihar breeds IAS toppers? This state outsmarts it – India Today
- Casteism is at its peak in Bihar, and gender and religious bias, along with extreme poverty, are hollowing out the entire state. Why are Biharis so obsessed with caste? : r/bihar – Reddit
- With 15.52% of the upper caste (general category) population, i.e, around 20 million out of a total population of approximately 130.7 million, their dominance continues everywhere in Bihar. 2022 Bihar Caste-Based Survey – Wikipedia
- The infamous battle for caste supremacy in Bihar has not ended even after almost 79 years of India’s independence. Exploring the changing forms of caste-violence – MIT Press Direct
What’s new in Bihar Politics?
There is nothing new in Bihar politics.
Mokama Assembly constituency – Wikipedia
People either vote based on the caste of the candidate or their votes are taken away, and Biharis who have migrated do not come to Bihar during elections. Overall, the electoral process and, ultimately, the concept of fair elections have completely collapsed in Bihar. The game of hijacking elections has become more prevalent, with the party with the most criminal records winning the elections.
With the corrupt helping another corrupt, Bihar is unable to see the light of development at the ground level.
You can assert that educated Bihari choose to migrate, but you have to delve deep to know the truth.
Actually, lack of opportunity, high level of discrimination in every strata, unending corruption, and unsupportive elite working class from Bihar itself, and above all, the unsaid reasons, people of Bihar are forgetting their constitutional rights and are acting like puppets of the political leaders.
Main Campaign Issues
Although there are serious issues such as unemployment, youth migration, caste politics, infrastructure, flood management, severe allegations of corruption, handing 1002 acres of alluvial land to an industrialist just before the commencement of the election, allegations of fraud by the opposition through SIR implementation, criminalisation of local politics, Bihar is highly staked by the BJP-led NDA.
Bihar election 2025
Sir, how is this ‘SIR’?
The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for 6 and 11 November 2025 to elect 243 members. Major alliances like NDA and INDIA (led by RJD) are contesting, with new contenders such as Jan Suraaj Party entering the fray[web:1].
Main Campaign Issues
Issues such as unemployment, youth migration, caste politics, corruption allegations, and governance records are central to party campaigns. Special Summary Revision (SIR) of voter rolls has sparked controversy and protests from opposition parties[web:1].
Party Strategies
- NDA: Focused on development, social welfare, and PM Modi’s leadership.
- RJD (INDIA bloc): Highlights job creation, youth support, and backward caste outreach.
- Jan Suraaj: Alternative politics, candidate primaries, and clean governance initiatives[web:1].
Why This Election Matters
The outcome will influence Bihar’s socio-economic trajectory. Electoral reforms, caste census, and migration policies are likely to have long-term effects on governance and social justice in the state[web:1].
Further Reading & Resources
