THE FAMILIES OF EIGHT FORMER CMs ARE IGNITING AN ELECTORAL BATTLE IN BIHAR POLITICS

THE FAMILIES OF EIGHT FORMER CMs ARE IGNITING AN ELECTORAL BATTLE IN BIHAR POLITICS

4-NOV-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------This time, the political winds are blowing not just between parties, but as a battle between legacy and mandate. The families of eight former Chief Ministers are contesting the elections in Bihar politics....

The atmosphere of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections is in full swing. The political winds are blowing not just between parties, but as a battle between legacy and mandate. The families of eight former Chief Ministers are contesting the elections in Bihar politics, meaning this is not just a contest for seats, but also for the credibility and influence of political families.

The most powerful families in Bihar politics, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, are in the headlines. His two sons, Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, are facing each other, albeit in different arenas. Tejashwi Yadav is the Grand Alliance's chief ministerial candidate and is once again contesting from Raghopur, the same seat where Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi once won. Meanwhile, Tej Pratap Yadav, whose political path has now diverged from both his family and party, is contesting from Mahua on his new party's ticket. In 2020, he contested from Hasanpur on the RJD ticket, but this time, family differences have led him to rebel. Interestingly, the two brothers have campaigned against each other, turning the feud into a household name in Bihar politics.

Karpuri Thakur, known as the "People's Leader of Bihar," kept his family away from politics during his lifetime. However, after his death, his family has also entered the political arena. His sons are ministers at the Centre, and now his granddaughter, Dr. Jagriti Thakur, is contesting from Morwa seat on Prashant Kishore's Jan Suraj Party.

The Morwa seat has come into the spotlight with Jagriti's entry into the fray. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Karpoori Gram to pay tribute to the leader of the people, further increasing the political activity in this constituency. Jagriti Thakur says, "The vision of the leader is still alive in the hearts of the people, and that is our real vote bank."

Sushil Kumar, son of former Chief Minister Satish Prasad Singh, is contesting from Cheria Bariarpur on an RJD ticket. The legacy of Satish Singh, who served as Chief Minister for five days, is now on his son's shoulders, and this seat is also considered a hot seat this time.

Dr. Karishma Rai, granddaughter of Daroga Prasad Rai, is the RJD candidate from Parsa in Saran. Interestingly, Karishma is the cousin of Tej Pratap Yadav's wife, Aishwarya Rai. This means that a mix of kinship and rivalry is visible in politics.

Jagannath Mishra, who was known as the political messiah of Mithila, his son Nitish Mishra is again contesting from Jhanjharpur on a BJP ticket. Nitish, who won in 2020, believes that "work is the greatest religion; a father's name is respect, not a support." Therefore, Jhanjharpur is also facing an interesting contest this time.

Shashwat Kedar, grandson of former Chief Minister Kedar Pandey, is contesting from Narkatiaganj on a Congress ticket. Contesting assembly elections for the first time, Shashwat is seen as a new hope among the youth.

From Jitan Ram Manjhi's family, his daughter-in-law Deepa Manjhi (Imamganj) and sister-in-law Jyoti Devi (Barachatti) are also in the electoral fray. These two women from the Manjhi family hope that the charisma of the Manjhi name will translate into votes.

The issue of nepotism is not new in Bihar politics. The BJP and JDU have often targeted it, but the truth is that no party is immune from it. This time, the bright lights of eight former Chief Ministers' families are in the fray, some on the strength of their hard work, and some on the strength of legacy. Now the real test is for the people. Will the people of Bihar vote for the legacy of the legacy or will they give mandate in the name of new thinking and work? The question is whether politics will still be dependent on dynasty, or will the people of Bihar change the map of politics?