The Legacy of Political Dynasties: How Family Connections Shape Bihar's 2025 Assembly Elections

BJP's Samrat Choudhary is contesting from Tarapur and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur

Political dynasties continue to maintain a strong presence in Bihar's electoral landscape, with numerous candidates representing established political families as sons, daughters, wives, or close relatives of veteran politicians.

According to experts, when it comes to dynastic politics, no party in Bihar can claim moral superiority, as this practice is widespread across the political spectrum.

The 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results scheduled for announcement on November 14.

Notable family members participating in the elections include RJD's Tejashwi Yadav (younger son and apparent successor to party leader Lalu Prasad) contesting from Raghopur, BJP's Samrat Choudhary (son of former minister Shakuni Choudhary) from Tarapur, and RJD's Osama Shahab (son of late Mohammad Shahabuddin, the former gangster-turned-politician) from Raghunathpur.

Other dynastic candidates include Rashtriya Lok Morcha's Snehlata (wife of party chief Upendra Kushwaha) from Sasaram, BJP's Nitish Mishra (son of former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra) from Jhanjharpur, HAM's Deepa Manjhi (daughter-in-law of Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi) from Imamganj, and Jan Suraaj's Jagriti Thakur (granddaughter of renowned socialist leader Karpoori Thakur) from Morwa. Chanakya Prasad Ranjan (son of JD(U) Banka MP Girdhari Prasad Yadav) has filed nomination papers as an RJD candidate for the Belhar constituency.

Additionally, JD(U)'s Komal Singh (daughter of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)'s MP Veena Devi) is running from Gaighat, JD(U)'s Chetan Anand (son of party MP Lovely Anand) from Nabinagar, Nitin Nabin (son of late BJP leader Nabin Kishore Sinha) from Bankipore, Sanjeev Churasai (son of BJP leader Ganga Prasad Chaurasia) from Digha, and Rahul Tiwary (son of RJD veteran Shivanand Tiwary) from Shahpur.

The list further includes Rakesh Ojha (son of late BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha) from Shahpur, Veena Devi (wife of Surajbhan Singh, who recently joined RJD) from Mokama, and Shivani Shukla (daughter of RJD strongman Munna Shukla) from Lalganj.

Reflecting on the dynastic trend in politics, Vidyarthi Vikas, Assistant Professor of Economics at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies in Patna, told PTI, "The prevalence of dynasts entering politics demonstrates that political parties have become increasingly unconcerned about ideological commitments, constitutional values, and democratic principles."

"Citizens should voice opposition against dynastic politicians who easily enter the political arena due to their established family connections. This phenomenon persists partly because education has not been prioritized in Bihar over the past 77 years," he stated.

He added that no political party in Bihar can claim moral high ground regarding dynastic politics.

"The educational attainment of Bihar's rural population remains low. According to the latest caste survey, only 14.71 percent of Bihar's population has completed class 10 examinations. This lack of political awareness allows parties to exploit less educated voters and enables dynasts to enter electoral contests," Vikas further explained.

RJD state spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary acknowledged to PTI, "It's true that ordinary party workers can hardly imagine contesting elections nowadays. Simultaneously, regular party workers receive minimal priority when glamour has become an integral element of every Indian election."

He also noted that the unrestricted use of funds by candidates and political parties has created an uneven electoral playing field.

Bihar BJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar told PTI, "BJP prioritizes only those leaders and workers who have contributed to organizational development and who demonstrate competence and commitment toward 'jan seva' (public service)."

"Consider Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an example, who has worked at every level of the party organization. Our PM comes from a very humble background," he added.