With the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 coming closer, the political temperature is rising in the state. This election is not just a contest between the majors in the state – the BJP, RJD, and JD(U) – but will include two wildcards who have declared they are fundamentally interrupting and want to gain the discontent of voters, and obtain recognition of the regional aspirations.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj: An Initiative for the People
Prashant Kishor (PK), an election strategist who has since transitioned into politics, is currently on a statewide yatra as part of his Jan Suraaj campaign, which is focused on local issues such as education, jobs, and governance. His plan is to engage directly with the public, particularly young voters and disillusioned party voters. Although PK’s influence may not manifest itself as a high seat count, his measure of vote splitting could nonetheless influence the calculations for the margin of seats for both the BJP and RJD.
Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM: The Minority Vote Factor
But Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM is looking at regions where Muslims are in control, for example, Seemanchal. In 2020, Owaisi pulled off a surprise when he won five seats, although most eventually left for the RJD. This time around, AIMIM is expected to contest more aggressively, and its candidacy may fracture the minority vote that has traditionally supported the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, which would give the BJP, indirectly, an advantage as the BJP is constantly looking for an edge in close fights.
Who will be placing more at stake -BJP or RJD?
While RJD is facing the challenge of RJD likely losing its minority support to Owaisi, BJP is exposed to anti-incumbency and the perception of PK among the neutral voting block or younger voters in search of change. Both masterminds, one a technocrat, the other a community representative, have an opportunity to reframe the political equation in Bihar in ways that make the 2025 election unpredictable in the last several years.
BJP’s Balancing Act Amid New Political Equations
The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is establishing itself as a contest with multiple corners, where fragmentation of the vote and regional power will matter more than ever. Prashant Kishor and Asaduddin Owaisi may either have a hand in forming a government or be spoiler candidates, but their agency has complicated, and made the game of politics in Bihar, making it that much more exciting.
