Yogi Adityanath Outshines Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar Elections: Social Equations Redefined

Lucknow/Bihar: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has delivered a major political blow to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, shattering long-standing social equations in Bihar. The 2025 Bihar Assembly election results revealed a decisive shift, showing the influence of strong ground-level campaigning and strategic outreach.

Unlike the overconfident campaigns of the past, BJP and NDA leaders actively engaged on the ground, strengthening their organizational base. Attempts to consolidate caste blocs in Bihar largely failed, with social and community-based strategies unable to sway results in favor of the Mahagathbandhan. Efforts by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to push backward-caste, Dalit, and minority-centric PDA politics from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar met with limited success, while Rahul Gandhi’s focus on SIR issues and Tejashwi Yadav’s projection as Chief Ministerial face failed to bring Congress back to power in the state.

The Big Blow for Lalu Prasad Yadav
The greatest setback was delivered to Lalu Prasad Yadav, whose Mandal-era caste politics were challenged by CM Yogi’s direct involvement in Bihar’s electoral battle. In Danapur, the rallying slogan “Divide and you will fall, stay united and you’ll be safe” resonated strongly. CM Yogi’s massive rally helped consolidate support for NDA candidate Ram Kripal Yadav, despite continuous campaigning by RJD’s Meesa Bharti for her party’s candidate Reetalal Rai, who ultimately failed to secure victory.

Impressive Ground Campaign by Yogi Adityanath
From 16 October onwards, CM Yogi Adityanath conducted 31 rallies and public meetings across Bihar, resulting in 27 NDA victories out of 31 constituencies where he campaigned. In contrast, Akhilesh Yadav campaigned on 22 seats for Mahagathbandhan candidates but managed wins in only two. CM Yogi’s campaign thus recorded an impressive strike rate of approximately 87%, while Akhilesh’s success rate was merely 9%.

Danapur: The Crucial Battleground
Danapur, where RJD’s candidate Reetalal Rai contested, became the focal point of the clash between Yogi Adityanath and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Despite the RJD chief campaigning for his candidate even while unwell, former Union Minister and NDA candidate Ram Kripal Yadav emerged victorious, highlighting the impact of Yogi’s Hindutva-driven politics in breaking Lalu’s caste-based equation. CM Yogi’s emphasis on governance, tackling corruption, mafia influence, and development projects, along with references to Ram Mandir and law-and-order actions in UP, successfully swayed voters in NDA’s favor.

Redefining Bihar’s Political Equations
The results indicate that strong organizational outreach, focused campaigning, and ideological messaging can overturn entrenched caste-based political strategies. Yogi Adityanath’s involvement in Bihar elections has not only redefined social equations but also significantly boosted NDA’s position in the state, leaving Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD facing a severe political setback.