The political spark once again has been lit up in Bihar after Gyanesh Kumar ; the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) announced the dates on October 6for Bihar Assembly elections 2025. The voting will commence in two phases. It will begin on 6th of November and end on November 11. Voting results will be announced on 14 November. After the Congress party accused Election Commission of vote theft claiming removal of 23 lakh women voters, Bihar elections will be the center of attention for the entire nation. Fair and unbiased conduct is what everyone seeks from Election Commission (EC). Bihar has a major influence on national politics with over 7.4 crore registered voters and 243 assembly seats. Alliances, emergence of new leaders and state-level issues do impact the national level politics. On one side is the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Nitish Kumar, with BJP, JD(U), LPJ (RV) being its allies, defending their seat. While on the other is, Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) headed by Tejaswini Yadav with support from Congress. There are smaller parties as well, trying to rise to power, acting sometimes as a benefiter to a bigger party, like Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, who has staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.
What are Election Propagandas of different contenders?
- The Mahagathbandhan CM face Tejaswi Yadav, with Congress party has raised the issue of “Vote Chori”. Accusing of irregularities in SIR exercise (Special Intensive Revision), vote theft has been the primary move, played Mahagathbandhan. Tejaswi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi launched the “Voter Adhikari Yatra” travelling across the state, alleging Election Commission of favoring BJP and stealing of votes. Tejaswi Yadav also spoke against NDA government over the issues like high crime rate, unemployment. RJD is believed to have the support of Muslim and Yadav vote base.
- National Democratic Alliance in the leadership of Nitish Kumar and support of Bhartiya Janta Party will be looking forward to increase their seats and regaining the power in state. With support from Prime Minister at centre JDU gets benefit of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad which is an affiliation of RSS. In his recent serving tenure Nitish Kumar did launch many welfare schemes which included improved social security pensions and RS. 10,000 aids to 75 lakh women. Various development projects were also started in his tenure, providing him an advantage of public image. However, health issues to Nitish Kumar are believed to sour the relations between JDU and BJP.
- Jan Suraaj, in the leadership of Prashant Kishore has staked on all 243 seats. While the state has witnessed a duopoly for a long period of time, Jan Suraaj comes with a desire to end that duopoly in the state. Party’s campaign has been around the failure of governance by political parties and corruption among NDA leaders. The party on one hand if wins will be ending the duopoly in the state being a new driver of power, while on the other hand if loses will face the risk of fading away just like any other insignificant party against the two giants in state.
What are the things in news?
- For the first time in 22 years, Bihar’s electoral rolls have gone through such a big deletion and addition of names. Approximately 68.5 lakh names have been dropped and 21.5 lakh new voter names have been added. While the process was told to be a part of Special Intensive Revision, such large-scale voters-cleansing did not take place last year during the Lok Sabha elections.
- While earlier Bihar elections used to stretch in many phases, this time elections have been curtailed to only two phases. Two-phase election is expected to ensure better voter turnout and fewer logistical challenges.
- The election commission has rolled out 17 new initiatives to have more Voter-friendly elections. These initiatives include measures like- Training of Booth agents and booth officers, training of police officers, mobile deposit facility at polling station and many more.
What will be the thing to watch in the coming days?
Everyone is watching Bihar closely as the election days get closer to see which way the people’s voice will go. The results will soon show what the people of the state really want for their future. Bihar always had an unpredictable politics. Cases of last-minute betrayals and partner change can be seen. Formation of new alliances as well can be witnessed to retain the majority. A big change in electoral-roll will make it interesting if a shift is seen in voter turnout. Uncountable promises and announcements regarding welfare schemes and freebies will be made. And once results are declared, implementation of those promises will give the ground reality. The ability to choose, question, and hope for a better tomorrow is what makes democracy important in the end. The next chapter for Bihar starts at the polls.
