BIHAR ELECTION 2025: NEW EQUATIONS OF POLITICS AND NEW PRIORITY OF THE PEOPLE

BIHAR ELECTION 2025: NEW EQUATIONS OF POLITICS AND NEW PRIORITY OF THE PEOPLE

12-SEP-ENG 16

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA----------------------------The politics of Bihar has always been a subject of intense debate across the country and the 2025 election is also carrying forward this tradition. This election is not just a question of change of power, but it is a symbol of understanding the social structure of the state, changing trends and the direction of development. The political history of Bihar has long been driven by caste equations and politics of social justice, but circumstances are changing with time. After the Mandal Commission, regional parties made a strong hold, but now in the changing economic and social conditions, the thinking of the voters is also seen to be transforming.

The current electoral scenario makes this change more clear. While the ruling parties are seeking support from the public by counting their development schemes and achievements of law and order, the opposition is making unemployment, inflation and lack of education-health facilities an issue. New political parties and faces are also active, who are trying to attract especially urban voters and youth. Employment, education, health and infrastructure development are at the center of this election. The increasing number of youth and their changing priorities are making this election more important. They are moving beyond politics based only on caste identity and thinking in the direction of opportunity and development.

This new thinking of voters can prove to be a turning point in Bihar politics. While earlier caste and social equations used to decide the election results, now more importance is being given to development, opportunity and aspiration for a better future. It is clear from this changing trend that the people of Bihar do not only want a change of power, but want to give a new direction to the state. Therefore, the 2025 election can be historic in the sense that it will change not only the strategy of the leaders but also the priorities and expectations of the public.

If we look at the last two assembly elections, it is clear that Bihar politics has seen many ups and downs. In 2015, the Grand Alliance (RJD-JDU-Congress) defeated the BJP and social equations played a decisive role. In 2020, the BJP-JDU alliance formed the government after a tough fight, but JDU's seats were reduced to 43, which shows Nitish Kumar's declining support base. Despite this, Nitish Kumar took over as the Chief Minister on the strength of coalition politics and his image of 'Sushasan Babu'. His political journey shows that he has been a leader who balances the politics of Bihar, although the youth's attraction towards him is not the same as before.

This election is not limited to Bihar only, but it will also affect the politics of the 2029 general elections. If the issues of development and employment prevail over caste politics here, then this message will also go to the national level. The election surveys of the Center for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) have repeatedly revealed that the people of Bihar want change. Nitish Kumar himself has said that "Bihar's politics always sets the direction for the country." In this election, while the opposition is raising questions on EVMs and raising slogans like “vote chor”, the lack of linguistic decorum and abusive language is further polluting politics. Bihar election can also present an ideal for breaking the old caste politics and polarization, provided this mandate moves towards development and social harmony.