Bihar elections 2025: The key players and what’s at stake for them
NEW DELHI: The countdown to the Bihar assembly elections has officially begun. The Election Commission on Monday announced that the polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The result will be declared on November 14. With this announcement, Bihar has entered full-fledged election mode, and political parties are already ramping up their campaigns. A lot is at stake for the state’s key players. Here’s a look at it: Nitish Kumar The 2025 Bihar assembly election is an obvious make-or-break moment for incumbent chief minister Nitish Kumar, with both his personal legacy and his party relevance on the line. This will be Nitish’s tenth bid for the chief minister’s post after two decades of rule marked by governance reforms, social welfare programs, and, of course, the dramatic alliance shifts that earned him the nickname ‘Paltu Ram’. Switches of Nitish This time, voters will judge whether his image of the ‘Vikas Purush’ (development man), known for stability and law-and-order credibility, still holds – or whether political fatigue, policy stagnation, and repeated flip-flops have eroded his mandate. The biggest challenge Nitish will face is to fight the anti-incumbancy wave. The biggest challenge for Nitish is indeed to combat the strong anti-incumbency wave against his government. After almost 20 years in office, he will now have to fight the fatigue among the voters. At 74, questions about his age and mental fitness have also entered the political debate, with opposition leaders openly raising doubts about his ability to govern effectively. Bihar assembly elections 2025. The 2025 election will therefore determine not just whether Nitish secures another term, but whether it’s time for him to finally hang up his boots. It is equally significant for the Janata Dal (United)’s survival as a major force in Bihar. The results will decide whether Nitish’s party maintains its independent clout or is relegated to a secondary role behind its ally, the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav For Lalu Yadav’s son and former deputy CM, Tejashwi Yadav, the 2025 Bihar assembly elections are a pivotal test of both his personal leadership and the prospects of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This appears to be Tejashwi’s best chance yet to become chief minister for the first time as the anti-incumbency fatigue against Nitish creates a significant gain. Many voters tired of Nitish Kumar’s long tenure of almost 20 years are looking for a fresh alternative, which Tejashwi, as a young, dynamic leader, offers. This attracts both traditional RJD supporters and undecided or anti-establishment voters. In the 2020 elections, under his leadership, the RJD won 75 seats, making it the single-largest party in the state and positioning him as the primary face of the opposition in Bihar. Notably, the Mahagathbandhan’s vote share lagged narrowly behind that of the NDA by just 0.03%, approximately 12,768 votes out of around 3.14 crore. Given this near-miss, the stakes and expectations for Tejashwi are even higher in 2025 and his performance will also determine the viability of the opposition in the state. Managing coalition friction and addressing the aspirations of a broad base, especially youth and non-Yadav OBCs, remains a critical challenge. This election will test his ability to withstand the NDA’s political machinery, carry forward his father’s legacy, and present himself as a pro-development alternative to Nitish Kumar in the state. Rahul Gandhi For Rahul Gandhi, this election is a crucial test of his national leadership and the revival prospects of the Congress party, with far-reaching implications for the INDIA bloc and Congress’s place in opposition politics. Given the recent repeated losses in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi, Rahul faces immense pressure to secure substantive gains in Bihar. His direct involvement this time, rallying (Voter Adhikar Yatra), crafting manifestos like the ‘Atipichhda Nyay Sankalp’ for EBCs, and public campaigns, puts his leadership credibility on the line, especially after past performances. The results will reveal whether Rahul can translate high-profile campaigning into votes, or whether the JD(U)-BJP, and his ally RJD continue to dominate state politics. The Bihar elections will also be the test of Congress’s groundlevel organisational skills, showing if Rahul could actually appeal to the Hindi heartland and mobilise backward and marginalised groups. Chirag Paswan Chirag Paswan’s victories in Bihar have dazzled on paper but left his influence on the ground wanting. Sweeping six Lok Sabha seats in 2014, repeating the feat in 2019, and clinching all five in 2024, he has made headlines in New Delhi. Yet in the Hindi heartland, these wins have often felt more like hollow victories than a true mandate. This time, his biggest test is to prove if he can translate national-level clout and Dalit support into a substantial assembly presence, moving beyond being a “spoiler” or a junior partner to becoming a genuine regional force in the state’s power structure. Success would elevate the LJP from relying on bargaining chips in Delhi to wielding real legislative strength in Patna, giving the party leverage in coalition negotiations, government formation, and policy direction. The outcome will reveal whether his strategy of public bargaining and “kingmaker” posturing can convert into actual MLAs, or if it risks repeating the 2020 pattern of undermining allies without building his own base. Bihar Key Players & What’s At Stake Prashant Kishor What’s at stake for Prashant Kishor? Everything and nothing! The strategist-turned-politician is making his electoral debut in Bihar, attempting to disrupt an already established caste-based politics and carve a meaningful role for his Jan Suraaj Party (JSP). Kishor has announced that his party will contest all 243 assembly seats independently, refusing alliances and positioning JSP as a radical alternative aiming to break the longstanding political duopoly of JD(U)-BJP and RJD-Congress. For him, it’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble. He has declared that his party will either finish first or last, leaving no room for compromise. So this time, he will either create a new force in Bihar or fade into political irrelevance. The key challenge lies in converting Kishor’s personal brand and strategic expertise into actual legislative seats. The outcome
Bihar election: How Rahul Gandhi tuned Congress’ Bihar pitch
PATNA: Until June this year, Congress looked desperate. It first replaced the party’s 74year-old Bihar in-charge Mohan Prakash by a rather young Krishna Allavaru and then appointed Rajesh Kumar, a Dalit face, as state president, removing Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who came from the upper caste Bhumihars. But nothing seemed to make a difference. Then came EC’s decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress found a cause, dubbing the exercise as a conspiracy to strike opposition voters off electoral rolls. Congress fused it with its broader claim that all BJP victories since 2014 were facilitated by “vote fraud”. Rahul Gandhi started Voter Adhikar Yatra, invited INDIA bloc big names like M K Stalin and Akhilesh Yadav. But will it influence voters? One clue comes from the subdued response of Congress and other opposition parties to the final electoral roll published on Sept 30. That reaction was anticlimactic. And this, when SIR did result in the deletion of 0.4 million “ineligible” names from the draft voters’ list. Significantly, even during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, grumbles could be heard about how it pushed “bread-and-butter” issues off centre stage, giving Nitish Kumar crucial time to repair a potential point of vulnerability. But the Yatra helped Congress acquire a profile it lacked. It upstaged RJD, its senior partner, which had planned to launch its own protest against SIR. Congress’s enhanced confidence is indicated by its refusal to defer to RJD’s insistence that Tejashwi should immediately be projected Mahagathbandhan’s CM candidate. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar elections: BJP takes dig at Lalu Prasad Yadav over PM face; mocks ‘family problems’
NEW DELHI: A day after the Election Commission announced the Bihar Assembly election schedule on Monday, the BJP targeted RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over his claim of being the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face, alleging that neither his party nor the alliance partners have officially endorsed him for the top post. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Tejashwi was projecting himself as the CM candidate without support from his alliance partners and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of avoiding a clear endorsement. “He is representing them, but neither his party members nor his alliance partners are speaking up. Just think, they travelled together for so many days during the yatra, and repeatedly called Rahul Gandhi ‘PM, PM’. But you must remember that press conference when Rahul Gandhi was asked who would be the chief ministerial face of the alliance. Tejashwi ji was sitting right next to him, looking at him with hopeful eyes, but Rahul ji did not respond, and his face fell,” Trivedi said. — ANI (@ANI) He also took a swipe at RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, describing the situation as a leadership crisis within the family. “Lalu Prasad Yadav ji once used to say he was the leader of the poor and the marginalised. But today, he faces the dilemma of whether to be the leader of this son or that son, this daughter or that particular daughter. In other words, even within the family, problems have emerged,” he added. Trivedi expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would secure a strong mandate. “People of Bihar and the entire country are watching how there has been a positive change under PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. We are confident that a strong and effective mandate will be given in favour of the BJP-NDA,” he said. The Election Commission announced that voting for Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting on November 14. A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists will be carried out nationwide. In the 2020 Assembly elections, Nitish Kumar led the NDA to victory. He broke ties with the BJP in 2022 to join the RJD-Congress alliance but returned to the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This time, the NDA will face the INDIA bloc led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, Congress, Left parties, and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is also entering the fray. The total number of electors stands at 7.42 crore. Patna recorded an addition of over 1.63 lakh voters across 14 constituencies, while Madhubani and Nalanda districts also saw major increases. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Politics: Tejashwi Yadav’s promise: If voted to power, SC/STs will receive social justice, reveals full form of ‘DALIT’
Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP of ending reservations and said this wouldn’t happen under the RJD. He promised to give voice to the underprivileged and ensure justice for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Extremely Backward Classes if he came to power. He promised to provide jobs and foreign education opportunities to degree holders. He also promised to withdraw cases against SC/ST Act supporters. State Bureau, Patna. Accusing the BJP of intending to end reservations and the Constitution, Tejashwi Yadav said on Sunday that this would not be possible under the RJD. Lalu Prasad Yadav gave voice to the underprivileged. If he came to power, the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Extremely Backward Classes would receive economic justice. A committee will be formed under the Chief Minister’s leadership to ensure the social and educational progress of these classes. Upon forming the government, all degree holders will be given jobs. Releasing the Nyay Sankalp Patra at the Ambedkar Dalit-Tribal Rights Dialogue held at the Veterinary College grounds, Tejashwi expressed his commitment to work on 17 aspects for the upliftment of specific communities. He promised that if he comes to power, talented students from Scheduled Castes and Tribes will be given the opportunity to study abroad. A fund of five thousand crore rupees will be created for entrepreneurship, contracting, and business. The cases against those protesting in support of the SC-ST Act will be dropped. The protesters will be declared Ambedkar fighters and will be honored and awarded. Tejashwi also explained the full form of Dalit in his own way. He said that D stands for determination, A for self-respect, L for leadership, I for justice, and T for progress. Bahujans are humble, but not weak. RJD SC-ST Cell National President Shivchandra Ram, State President Anil Kumar Sadhu alias Sadhu Paswan, and others were present at the event. Later, speaking to the media, Tejashwi said that some retired officials were misusing the Chief Minister’s image for their own benefit. One day, everyone’s secrets will be revealed. Regarding the Prime Minister’s criticism of the Lalu-Rabri regime, he said that since he had no achievements to point to regarding his own government, he was resorting to abuse. BY VIKASH CHANDRA PANDEY EDITED BY: SHASHANK BARANWAL Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress Says Rahul Gandhi Condemns Dalit Youth lynching In Raebareli
In the post, Khera said that Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his profound concern over the dangerous normalisation of lynching in India, vowing that such violent elements must face their legal end. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the father and brother of the Dalit youth who was lynched in Raibareili. In the post, Khera said that Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his profound concern over the dangerous normalisation of lynching in India, vowing that such violent elements must face their legal end. Police in Raebareli arrested five men on Saturday for allegedly lynching Hariom after mistaking him for a drone thief. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the father and brother of the Dalit youth who was lynched in Raibareili, AICC media and publicity department head Pawan Khera has said. In a post on X on Sunday, Khera said the horrific lynching is both heartbreaking and enraging. “In his final moments, as he was being mercilessly beaten with sticks and belts, the deceased young man remembered his last hope – Shri Rahul Gandhi,” he said. “For Rahul ji, who represents Raebareli in Parliament and considers its people his family, this tragedy is deeply wounding. He has personally spoken to the father and brother of the deceased and stands in complete solidarity with them in this hour of unbearable grief,” Khera said. In the post, Khera said that Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his profound concern over the dangerous normalisation of lynching in India, vowing that such violent elements must face their legal end. “Justice must be served,” the Congress leader said. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed stated that she saw the video and “When he (Dalit youth) repeatedly said ‘Rahul Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi’, those criminals claimed they were supporters of Yogi. This is what the double engine of Yogi and Modi has done in Uttar Pradesh. Their politics of hate is taking the lives of Dalits and the marginalised.” “Muslims are under attack, women are unsafe, and Dalits and OBCs are being targeted — no one is safe under the BJP government anywhere,” she added. Police in Raebareli arrested five men on Saturday for allegedly lynching Hariom after mistaking him for a drone thief. Police have said that Hariom was reportedly mentally unstable. He was walking to his in-laws’ house in Dandepur Jamunapur when a mob surrounded him and accused him of being a member of a gang marking houses with drones for theft. He was beaten with belts and sticks and died soon after. Curated by : Abhijay vaish Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Man Brutally Lynched In Raebareli After Being Mistaken For Thief, Sparks Outrage Across Uttar Pradesh
According to his family, he was on his way to his in-laws’ house in Dandepur Jamunapur when a mob surrounded him and began thrashing him, suspecting him to be a drone thief. Raebareli: A Dalit man was brutally lynched in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli after being mistaken for a thief, sparking outrage and political uproar across the state. Police have arrested five people in connection with the incident so far. The victim, identified as Hariom, was allegedly beaten to death with sticks and belts by a group of locals. According to his family, he was on his way to his in-laws’ house in Dandepur Jamunapur when a mob surrounded him and began thrashing him, suspecting him to be a drone thief. Raebareli ASP Sanjeev Kumar Sinha confirmed that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway. “In the Unchahar police station area, a case has been filed immediately, and five people have been sent to jail in connection with the case of a man being beaten to death by some people who mistook him for a thief. The remaining accused will soon be identified and arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend them,” he said. Sinha also informed that three police officials, including a sub-inspector, have been suspended for negligence. Hariom’s wife, Pinki, demanded justice for her husband’s killing. The couple has a four-year-old daughter. “They caught him and beat him to death. The accused should be punished in the same way my husband was killed. I want justice from the government,” she told IANS. Hariom’s father also demanded the death penalty for the accused and called for bulldozer action. “My son was murdered. We received the information on October 2. We demand that the killers be given the death penalty and their houses be demolished with bulldozers,” he said. The incident has triggered a sharp political reaction, with Opposition parties accusing the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of failing to ensure the safety of Dalits and marginalised communities. The government, however, has assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, speaking to IANS, said, “This is a very tragic incident, and I strongly condemn it. Strictest action will be taken against all those found guilty. If any responsible police officers are found negligent, strict action will be taken against them as well.” (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and auto-generated from an agency feed.) Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Police conduct counselling for transgender community
Ongole: Prakasam district police have conducted special counselling sessions for the transgender community in Ongole’s Indirammagari Colony and Islampet areas under the supervision of Women’s Police Station Inspector P Sudhakar. The police advised transgender individuals that stopping vehicles on national highways or main roads to seek money and harassing the public is illegal. They emphasised that suddenly halting vehicles creates accident risks for following traffic, and such actions must be avoided. They warned against harassing, threatening, or intimidating people for money, stating that legal action would be taken against such behaviour. Instead, they encouraged the community to utilise government schemes and opportunities for self-employment to lead dignified lives. Police assured the transgender community of full departmental support in bringing positive social change. Meanwhile, the department has also conducted searches at firecracker agents and used drone cameras at village outskirts, fields, and hill areas to identify illegal activities under various police station limits in the district. The police warned the firecracker shops that unauthorised sales won’t be tolerated, filed cases against drivers under the influence of alcohol, and arrested 55 rummy players at nine locations. The police requested that the public call 112 or 9121102266 to report information about illegal activities anonymously. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Show me one LoP who … ‘: Kiren Rijiju slams Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Colombia; rebuts Congress
NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of resorting to the constant “India-shaming & India-bashing” statements, saying “we are worried” about his remarks abroad. Rijiju said he didn’t want to comment on the Congress scion’s personal visits, but his remarks abroad “against India’s interest” as the Lok Sabha leader of opposition are “worrying”. “Tell me one Leader of Opposition who spoke against India’s interest in a foreign country. I don’t want to comment about Rahul Gandhi Ji’s regular personal trip abroad. But as leader of opposition, we are worried due to his constant India-shaming & India-bashing!” he told news agency ANI. The remarks come after Rahul, while speaking at an event at EIA University in Colombia on Thursday, said, “India has strong capabilities in areas like engineering and healthcare, so I am very optimistic about the country. But at the same time, there are also flaws in the structure that India has to correct. The biggest challenge is the attack on democracy taking place in India.” Speaking on the Gen-Z (Generation-Z: born between 1997-2012), which has come to the spotlight after violent protests in the neighbouring Nepal that overthrew the Oil-led communist government, Rijiju said: “India’s Gen-Z are sensible, sincere, sharp, smart and steadfast in their mission to make India a great nation.” Rijiju, in a piercing attack at the Congress party, said “the Gen Zs would not tolerate the party and the family who kept India poor for 6 decades”. “They will reject corrupt and inefficient politicians who only care for one family!” he said. After his presser claiming deletion of voters from Karnataka’s Aland constituency last month, Rahul Gandhi had written in a post on X, “The youth of the nation The students of the nation The Gen Z of the nation Will protect the Constitution, defend democracy, and prevent vote theft. I will always stand with them. Hail India!” His shoutout to Gen Z to “stop vote theft” sparked a sharp retort from the BJP, with Nishikant Dubey quipping: “They are against corruption, why wouldn’t they drive you out?” Dubey claimed that Gen Z wants “an Islamic state in Bangladesh and a Hindu state in Nepal, why wouldn’t they make India a Hindu state?” “Gen Z is against family rule. Why would they tolerate Rahul Ji after Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji, Sonia Ji? They are against corruption, why wouldn’t they drive you out? They want an Islamic state in Bangladesh and a Hindu state in Nepal, why wouldn’t they make India a Hindu state? Get ready to leave the country, they are coming,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Indira never spoke outside’: Kiren Rijiju slams Rahul Gandhi over Colombia comments; questions Congress’s free speech usage
NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks made during a visit to Colombia, claiming that he is the first leader of opposition (LoP) to speak against India on foreign soil. In an interview to ANI, the parliamentary affairs minister said, “Even Indira Gandhi ji was LoP after losing elections, but she never spoke about the country outside. All other LoPs after her – whether it is Lal Krishna Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sushma Swaraj, Sharad Pawar – never did that.” “Show me one LoP who has ever gone outside India and made statements against the country or the Government. Rahul Gandhi is the first LoP who goes abroad and speaks against the country, our system and our democracy,” Rijiju added. The remarks come after Rahul, while speaking at an event at EIA University in Colombia on Thursday, said, “India has strong capabilities in areas like engineering and healthcare, so I am very optimistic about the country. But at the same time, there are also flaws in the structure that India has to correct. The biggest challenge is the attack on democracy taking place in India.” Rijiju alleged that Rahul’s comments misrepresent India and could harm its global image. “Our LoP went abroad and said that India cannot be a global leader. The problem is that if people abroad get the impression that everyone in India is like Rahul Gandhi, it would tarnish the country’s reputation,” he said. “There are intelligent people in our country, we have good leaders and people with good ideology. But if Rahul Gandhi speaks like this, people would think that such people are higher in number in India. This is not right,” Rijiju added. The Union minister also rejected Congress’s allegations of curbs on free speech, saying that the party was misusing the idea of freedom of expression for political purposes. “From morning to evening, they keep on abusing PM Modi and say there is no freedom to speak. They want to misuse this freedom of expression to such an extent that they want to split the nation,” he said. Rijiju further claimed that some leaders advocating for free speech are those who, according to him, have supported divisive causes. “Those who talk about freedom of speech are the people who want to separate Jammu and Kashmir and the North East from the nation,” he said. He emphasised that the BJP’s response to Rahul’s remarks is not personal. “We have nothing to do with him personally. He is LoP… If he speaks irresponsibly, we will not like it,” Rijiju said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A man disguised himself as Anil and raped a tribal woman, then said, “I will marry you if you change your religion.”
Amir, posing as Anil, raped a tribal woman and pressured her to convert. A young man from Deoband was arrested. Dhar, Madhya Pradesh: A very serious case has come to light in Dhar district. A man from Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, has been accused of befriending a tribal woman by concealing his true identity, raping her, and then pressuring her to convert. Based on the complaint, police registered a case late Thursday night and arrested the accused. What is the whole matter? According to Amjhera police station in-charge Raju Makwana, the 26-year-old victim is married and has two children. She worked with her husband in a construction company in Surat. There, she met a young man named Anil, with whom she developed a love affair. When the woman’s husband learned of the relationship, he left her at her parents’ home in Padampura village, near Dasai in Dhar district. Subsequently, Anil, with the woman’s consent, picked her up in Padampura and took her to Kanwan. There, they stayed at a dharamshala, where the accused allegedly raped her on Wednesday and Thursday. How the Truth Was Revealed In her statement to the police, the woman revealed that Anil revealed his true name to her around 4 p.m. on Thursday. He said his real name was not Anil, but Aamir Sheikh, and that he was from Deoband, Uttar Pradesh. Aamir told the woman that since her husband had abandoned her, she should convert to Islam so that he could marry her. Police Action Upon learning of the accused’s true identity and intentions, the woman immediately informed the police. A police team arrived at the scene and detained both Aamir Sheikh and the woman. After recording the woman’s statement, she was handed over to her parents. A case was registered against the accused, Aamir Sheikh, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Religious Freedom Act, 2021. He was produced in court on Friday and sent to jail. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News