The schedule for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is expected to be announced imminently, as the new Vidhan Sabha must be constituted by November 22. This follows a three-day review tour and series of meetings in the state led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, which concluded on October 5th.
The upcoming polls are set to be a high-stakes contest dominated by two main rival alliances, led by veteran Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have also focused campaign energy on Bihar in recent months.
The Key Alliances and Players
The election pits two major coalitions against each other for the majority mark of 122 seats:
- The Ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA): Led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) or JDU and its major partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM. The NDA is looking to retain power, with Nitish Kumar aiming for his ninth term as CM.
- The Opposition INDIA Bloc (Mahagathbandhan): Headed by Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which includes the Indian National Congress (INC) and other allies. The Mahagathbandhan is focused on unseating Nitish Kumar.
Current Assembly Snapshot (as of August 2025)
After significant political maneuvering since the 2020 elections, the balance of power stands as follows:
| Party/Alliance | MLA Strength |
| NDA Total | 132 (Above the 122 majority mark) |
| BJP | 78 (Largest Party) |
| JDU | 45 |
| HAM & Allies | 9 |
| Mahagathbandhan/INDIA Total | 108 (RJD + Congress + Left) |
| RJD | 75 |
| INC | 19 |
| CPI(ML)-L | 12 (Most prominent Left party) |
| CPI/CPI(M) | 4 (Two each) |
| Others | 1 (AIMIM) |
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Key Political Developments and New Entrants
- Nitish Kumar’s Flip-Flops: The CM’s shifting alliances remain a central theme. After winning the 2020 polls with the BJP-led NDA, he switched to the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in 2022, only to return to the NDA fold and form a new government with the BJP in 2024.
- Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP): The former poll strategist has entered full-time politics in his native state with his JSP, declaring that the party will contest all 243 seats, making them a new factor to watch.
- Chirag Paswan’s Ambition: Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), now an NDA ally and Central minister, is positioning himself as a potential “kingmaker” in the event of a hung assembly. His party contested the 2020 polls alone and has since split, with his uncle Pashupati Paras leading a rival faction.
- State Leadership: Nitish Kumar remains the JDU and NDA’s main face, flanked by two BJP Deputy CMs, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Tejashwi Yadav, son of former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, leads the Opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Key Issues and Constituencies
The elections will be fought on traditional issues like caste dynamics, shifting political loyalties, law and order, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. The recent Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls has also emerged as a significant campaign issue, with the opposition expressing concern.
Key seats that will be under intense scrutiny include:
- Harnaut: Represented by CM Nitish Kumar.
- Raghopur: The seat of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
- Other traditionally high-profile battlegrounds like Mahua, Munger, and Bankipur.