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Patna, Nov 10 (IANS) Campaigning for the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections 2025 ended on Sunday evening and voting will take place on Tuesday, when over 3.70 crore voters across 20 districts will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates in 122 constituencies.
This stage is widely considered important in shaping the outcome.
Counting of votes will take place on November 14, when it will become clear whether the NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returns to power or the grand alliance led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav makes a comeback.
In this campaign cycle, the NDA has largely put forward the themes of governance and development, while the Grand Alliance has focused on unemployment, social justice and caste representation.
NDA: Strengths and Opportunities
Nitish Kumar remains the main face of NDA. His two-decade presence in state politics and ‘good governance’ narrative still resonates among a section of voters.
The BJP-JDU organizational network – which includes the RSS, ABVP and booth-level cadre – is considered one of the NDA’s strongest assets.
Central government programs and recently announced schemes, especially those targeting women, old age pensions, scholarships and local infrastructure, are also being featured prominently.
The NDA is also focusing on unity within its traditional social base – upper castes, EBCs and women – by highlighting projects related to highways, bridges, medical colleges and employment funded by the central government announced ahead of the elections.
NDA: weaknesses and threats
Twenty years in power have also generated discontent, particularly around job creation, allegations of corruption and unresolved political debates around the alcohol prohibition policy.
Analysts say the social structure of Bihar – where about 85 per cent of the population belongs to OBC, EBC and Dalit categories – makes the BJP’s perceived upper caste party image a strategic concern in some areas with strong mandal politics.
On the competition front, the India Bloc’s aggressive campaign on unemployment, inflation and law and order is seen as a challenge.
Additionally, Prashant Kishor – contesting in Jan Suraj – is attracting noticeable interest among young voters with his agenda focused on employment and curbing migration.
India Block: Strengths and Opportunities
The main support base of the Grand Alliance remains the MY (Muslim-Yadav) social block, which constitutes about 32 per cent of Bihar’s population and has historically provided a steady vote share to the RJD.
Tejashwi Yadav’s campaign focus on unemployment and the crisis of migrant workers – coupled with his personal appeal among young voters – is seen as a major advantage.
The alliance has also put caste-based census at the center of its campaign, which analysts say could strengthen its reach among backward and marginalized communities.
Both the RJD and the Congress are actively engaging young voters on issues related to jobs and reforms in the examination system – an agenda that may attract first-time voters.
India Block: Weaknesses and Threats
During seat-sharing talks, differences between the RJD and Congress became publicly visible, indicating coordination challenges within the bloc.
The Congress also lacks a strong face at the state level and over time, it has largely come to be identified as an RJD ally in Bihar politics.
Compared to the NDA’s structured booth-level network, the Grand Alliance’s organizational presence at the grassroots level remains relatively weak – especially in rural areas.
In the Seemanchal belt, AIMIM’s presence could split Muslim votes in closely contested constituencies.
Besides, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj campaign, which is generating interest among young and educated voters, may also dent the Grand Alliance’s vote share.
–IANS
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