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2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election
Elections for the 18th Legislative assembly of Bihar From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election for all 243 constituencies is scheduled to be held on October or November 2025. It will be conducted by the Election Commission of India.
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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.
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Schedule
Election Commission of India will likely announce schedule in September.
Parties and Alliances
National Democratic Alliance
Mahagathbandhan
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Others
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Candidates
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Campaigns
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Perspective
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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
Party campaign strategies
- NDA (BJP, JD(U), LJP(R), 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.[10]
- 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.[11]
- 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.[12]
- Jan Suraaj Party: Led by Prashant Kishor, Jan Suraaj positioned itself as an alternative to both NDA and INDIA bloc. Kishor organized the "Bihar Badlao Yatra," pledged to contest all 243 seats, and focused on governance, education, and clean politics. He ruled out alliance with any major bloc.[13]
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.[14]
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 is contesting 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.[citation needed] Congress used padayatras and planned public rallies, while Jan Suraaj emphasized grassroots outreach through panchayat visits.[citation needed]
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.[15]
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.[16]
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.[citation needed]
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Controversies
Summarize
Perspective
Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
On the 24th of 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 25th 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.[17] 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.[18][19][20][21]
The SIR was challenged in the Supreme Court. On the 10th of July, the court advised the Election Commission to consider the Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards as valid documents for the exercise.[22] On the 21st of 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.[23]
On August 2025, Rahul Gandhi made allegations against BJP about election commission.[24][25]
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Surveys and polls
Opinion polls
Exit polls
Results
Results by alliance or party
Results by district
Results by constituency
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See also
References
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