Power Battles and Family Legacies: Critical Constituencies Shaping Bihar's 2025 Assembly Elections

Patna:

As Bihar prepares for assembly elections, several constituencies are poised to witness fascinating political battles, even though major parties have yet to officially announce their candidates.

Raghopur constituency presents a compelling narrative as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav seeks his third consecutive term from this Yadav-dominated seat that previously elected both his father Lalu Prasad and mother Rabri Devi to the state assembly. While typically considered a stronghold for Tejashwi, the potential entry of Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor could transform this into one of the most high-profile electoral contests in recent years in this Vaishali district constituency.

Adjacent to Raghopur lies Mahua, where political family dynamics create significant tension. Previously won by Tejashwi's elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav in 2020, the RJD leadership subsequently determined the seat would be lost if Lalu Prasad's elder son contested again. Consequently, Tej Pratap was relocated to Hasanpur in Samastipur district, while Tejashwi's close associate Mukesh Raushan secured Mahua for the RJD. Tej Pratap's May suspension from the RJD was partly attributed to his declaration about "returning to Mahua" in 2025, which visibly distressed Raushan. Now operating independently with his own political entity, Tej Pratap presents an unwelcome challenge for Tejashwi's broader political ambitions.

Mokama constituency has remained under the influence of don-turned-politician Anant Kumar Singh's family since 1990, regardless of party affiliations, with only a brief interruption. Following Singh's disqualification from the assembly due to a UAPA case conviction, his wife Neelam Devi assumed the seat in 2022. However, after Singh's acquittal by the Patna High Court, he has signaled an unwillingness to let his spouse continue representing the constituency. Speculation suggests Singh might field one of his twin sons if he decides to step back from active politics.

Though initially given RJD tickets in 2020 and 2022, Neelam Devi defected to the NDA last year, presumably with her husband's blessing. The family now likely seeks support from JD(U), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, widely considered Singh's primary political patron. The RJD has pledged to challenge "Chhote Sarkar," as Singh is locally known, by supporting formidable opponents, including possibly Suraj Bhan Singh, another former gangster who previously captured the seat from Anant Singh's elder brother in 2000. Suraj Bhan belongs to Pashupati Kumar Paras's Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, which has aligned with the RJD-led INDIA bloc in Bihar.

Additional contenders may include former henchmen turned rivals Sonu and Monu, with RJD reportedly open to endorsing either brother. Further complicating matters, Ashok Mahto, another notorious gangster from Mokama who positions himself as a lower-caste challenger to Singh's upper-caste dominance, has promised to support whoever poses the strongest threat to Anant Singh, despite his own inability to contest due to legal issues.

In Sheohar, incumbent MLA Chetan Anand faces a significant test after switching from RJD to NDA before the Lok Sabha elections, while his mother Lovely Anand secured the parliamentary constituency on a JD(U) ticket. Failing to retain this seat would embarrass not only the 35-year-old legislator but also Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who stands accused of modifying jail regulations to facilitate the release of Chetan's father, Anand Mohan.

Harnaut constituency holds special significance as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's personal stronghold, though he hasn't contested an assembly election in three decades. Kumar began his political career by winning this seat in 1985 and again in 1995, despite simultaneously holding the Barh parliamentary seat. The constituency has consistently remained with Kumar's political vehicles—first the Samata party and now JD(U). Rumors suggest the 74-year-old leader might reconsider his opposition to dynastic politics by potentially fielding his son Nishant Kumar as the party candidate from Harnaut.

The Bihar assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11, with vote counting to follow on November 14.