Introduction
Bihar, the third most populous state located in eastern India, is set to witness one of most intense state elections in its political history. The citizens of Bihar will be voting for 243 seats of the state’s legislative assembly in two phases, i.e., on 6 and 11 November 2025. Official poll results will be out on Friday, 14 November. With rich historical, cultural, and civilizational heritage, Bihar is considered to be a fertile agricultural land. However, its complex socio-economic realities, such as caste-based divisions, under-development, law and order issues, lack of industrialization, and burgeoning unemployment have left Bihar among the poorest states in India. In the current electoral race, contending political parties are focusing on these issues to secure support from different classes and communities in the state. On the one hand, regional parties such as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal (United) are attracting voters on caste lines; on the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC) are banking on religious nationalist rhetoric, constitutional issues, and anti-Pakistan sloganeering to steal the show.
