A Political Season Begins in Bihar

The stage is officially set for one of India’s most closely watched state elections — Bihar Assembly Election 2025. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main player in Bihar politics, has released its first list of 71 candidates, marking the start of its election campaign and sending a clear signal of readiness for the upcoming poll battle.

This announcement has ignited fresh political energy across Bihar. Party offices are buzzing with excitement, local leaders are re-energized, and rival parties have started recalibrating their strategies. The move comes as the Election Commission prepares to declare the full schedule for the polls in the coming weeks.

What the List Reveals

The BJP’s list, comprising 71 constituencies, showcases a calculated mix of experience, caste balance, and new energy. The party has reportedly focused on strengthening its hold in constituencies where it performed well in 2020, while also targeting areas that slipped to the opposition.

Sources within the party indicate that the candidate selection reflects a “winnability-first” approach. Senior leaders like Nityanand Rai, Sanjay Jaiswal, and Mangal Pandey were actively involved in the screening process. The central leadership, too, gave its nod after a detailed review of ground reports and feedback from district units.

Political observers believe this first list is just a trailer of the BJP’s wider strategy — a mix of old loyalists and young contenders ready to connect with the youth vote bank.

Alliance Equations and Political Dynamics

Bihar’s political landscape is never complete without alliances. The BJP, part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is coordinating with allies like Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and smaller regional partners to finalize seat-sharing arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Tejashwi Yadav, is strengthening its cadre network and attempting to unify the opposition under a “Bihar First” narrative. The Congress, though struggling with internal differences, is expected to contest as part of the INDIA bloc alliance.

Political watchers say the BJP’s early announcement aims to create momentum and pressure — forcing rivals to play catch-up while energizing its own grassroots workers.

Key Themes of the BJP Campaign

The BJP is expected to run its Bihar campaign around several key pillars:

1. Development and Governance:
   Highlighting central government schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Ujjwala, the BJP will pitch its record on infrastructure, roads, and electrification.
2. Law and Order:
   The party is likely to target the RJD over past “jungle raj” narratives, portraying itself as the guardian of law, stability, and growth.
3. Employment and Youth:
   Unemployment remains a sensitive topic. BJP leaders are expected to push new entrepreneurship and startup initiatives while promoting Bihar’s youth as a future workforce hub.
4. Social Welfare and Caste Outreach:
   By balancing representation among OBCs, Dalits, EBCs, and upper castes, the party seeks to maintain social harmony and inclusive appeal.
5. National Leadership Factor:
   Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity remains the BJP’s strongest card. Expect his rallies, digital campaigns, and “Modi Guarantee” messaging to dominate the narrative.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

The release of the first list has sparked immediate reactions across the state.
While BJP workers celebrated with fireworks and sweets in districts like Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya, the RJD dismissed it as “a recycled list of old faces.”
Congress leaders accused the BJP of “trying to divert attention” from unemployment and inflation.
However, neutral observers see the move as a tactical masterstroke to occupy the political space early and control the election narrative.

Political analyst Pramod Mishra notes, “By releasing the list before others, BJP has taken a psychological lead. It signals confidence and readiness — an advantage in early campaigning.”

Bihar’s Voter Pulse

As always, Bihar’s electorate will be crucial. With over 7 crore registered voters, the state reflects a mix of caste equations, rural priorities, and youth aspirations.

While traditional loyalties still play a role, the young voter base (aged 18–35) — now forming nearly half of Bihar’s voting population — is expected to be a decisive factor. Their concerns center around jobs, migration, education, and economic opportunities.

Digital campaigning and social media will also play a far greater role in this election than ever before. BJP’s IT and social media teams have already started regional campaigns in Hindi and Bhojpuri to reach every district digitally.

The Road Ahead: High Stakes and Hard Battles

With this first list, the BJP has not only launched its campaign but also set the tone for an aggressive and high-octane election season.
In coming weeks, expect rallies, padyatras, and policy pitches from all major parties.
For the ruling coalition, retaining power is crucial to maintain political dominance in the Hindi heartland.
For the opposition, especially the RJD, it’s a chance to reclaim Bihar and revive the party’s legacy.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the official poll schedule soon, likely covering 243 Assembly seats across multiple phases. Counting of votes may happen in late November or early December 2025.

The Bigger Picture

Bihar remains more than just another state election — it’s a political barometer for national trends.
A strong BJP performance will reinforce its national narrative ahead of future state polls and help the NDA consolidate in northern India.
Conversely, a strong showing by the RJD-led opposition could re-energize the INDIA bloc and send a message to national politics before the next general elections.

As the campaign heats up, one thing is certain — Bihar will witness a fierce, idea-driven, and personality-charged battle over the next few months.