Three-Front Battle Looms in Bihar as Alliances Shift Ahead of 2025 Assembly Elections

Patna, May 19, 2025 — As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, the political climate is heating up with alliances in flux and new players entering the fray. While the traditional contest has been between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, the emergence of political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor as a potential third alternative is rapidly changing the dynamics. A triangular battle for the Chief Minister’s post is now a real possibility.

NDA: Nitish Kumar Bids for Continuity

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), spearheaded by Janata Dal (United) in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, has once again declared Nitish Kumar as its chief ministerial face. Despite some internal murmurs and concerns about voter fatigue, both JD(U) and BJP leaders have reaffirmed their faith in Kumar's leadership. Recently, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan held a meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, reportedly to discuss key electoral matters such as seat-sharing arrangements and alliance strategy ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. While Chirag Paswan has not made any official statement regarding his party's final stance, political analysts suggest that LJP (RV) is likely to arrive at a consensus within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and contest the elections in alignment with the Nitish Kumar-led front.

His campaign is expected to focus heavily on law and order, women’s empowerment, and infrastructure development — pillars of his long-running tenure. However, critics argue that his recent shifts in political alignment and perceived decline in grassroots support might make this election his toughest yet.

Mahagathbandhan: Tejashwi Yadav at the Helm

The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties — has positioned Tejashwi Yadav as its CM candidate for the second consecutive election. The 35-year-old leader continues to enjoy strong support among the youth, OBCs, and sections of the working class.

However, internal discontent within the alliance — especially over seat-sharing and leadership roles — threatens to weaken the coalition. Congress, while officially part of the alliance, has yet to firmly endorse Tejashwi’s leadership, with state leaders pushing for a more consultative approach in finalizing key decisions.

Prashant Kishor: A Disruptive Third Force?

The biggest X-factor in the 2025 Bihar elections could be Prashant Kishor, the renowned political strategist who has turned to grassroots activism through his platform Jan Suraaj (Good Governance Movement). For over two years, Kishor has been traveling across Bihar, holding padyatras and jan sabhas, speaking directly to villagers and youth about the need for systemic change.

Prashant Kishor has recently formalized his political foray by launching the Jan Suraaj Party, transforming his grassroots initiative into a full-fledged political platform. He is expected to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections with a cadre-based movement centered on governance reform, education, and employment. According to sources close to his campaign, the party is preparing to field candidates across all 243 assembly constituencies, signaling an ambitious and state-wide electoral strategy.

Unlike other leaders, Kishor brings a unique combination of data-driven strategies and local connect — along with a narrative of being an outsider to traditional politics. His clean image, intellectual appeal, and direct outreach have garnered attention from disillusioned urban voters, first-time voters, and a section of the educated youth.

If Kishor's movement translates its momentum into electoral success, it could disrupt the binary dominance of NDA and Mahagathbandhan, especially in constituencies where anti-incumbency runs high.

BSP and Others: Fragmenting the Field Further

Adding to the complexity, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has announced its intention to contest all 243 seats independently. While its historical base in Bihar is limited, the BSP's aggressive posture could siphon votes from the Grand Alliance and impact close contests. Other parties like AIMIM and various caste-based outfits are also testing the waters, raising the possibility of a highly fragmented outcome.

Will Bihar See a Triangular Contest?

As it stands, Bihar’s CM race appears to be coalescing around three figures:

• Nitish Kumar (NDA) – pitching stability and experience

• Tejashwi Yadav (Mahagathbandhan) – offering youth and social justice

• Prashant Kishor (Jan Suraaj/Independent Platform) – promising a clean slate and governance overhaul

If Kishor formalizes his entry, the state could witness its first genuine three-way CM contest in decades — a scenario that may force both traditional alliances to rethink their strategies.

Conclusion

The battle for Bihar in 2025 is shaping up to be unpredictable, with voter sentiments, caste equations, and anti-incumbency all playing crucial roles. Whether Prashant Kishor emerges as a spoiler, kingmaker, or a serious contender remains to be seen, but his presence has undoubtedly made the electoral field more competitive. One thing is clear — Bihar is headed for a historic and possibly transformative election.