Bihar Elections: Small Parties Show Strength — But Will It Reflect in the Final Results

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Patna: As Bihar heads into the final phase of the 2025 Assembly elections, both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan face the twin challenge of retaining their traditional bastions and expanding their influence in new territories. This round is particularly crucial for the smaller allies in both camps who demonstrated bargaining power during ticket distribution — but now must prove their ground strength at the ballot box.

NDA’s Allies Under Pressure

For the NDA, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is contesting 15 out of 28 allotted seats (one nomination was cancelled), while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is contesting all six seats allocated to it. Both leaders are seen as the Dalit faces of the NDA. Additionally, Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) has its stakes high, with his wife Snehlata Kushwaha and several key candidates in the fray across four of the six seats assigned to the party.

The NDA is focusing heavily on the Magadh region, where in 2020, the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan had won 20 out of 26 seats. This time, the BJP–JD(U)-led alliance hopes to reverse its fortunes, contesting 11 key seats across five districts in the region. Strong performance here could prove decisive.

Chirag Paswan’s Reputation on the Line

Chirag Paswan’s political credibility is being tested. Despite internal unease within the NDA over the LJP (Ram Vilas) being allotted 28 seats, Paswan remains confident, often citing his “100% strike rate” in Lok Sabha elections as proof of his electoral acumen. His ability to convert negotiations into votes will determine his party’s future standing within the alliance.

Mahagathbandhan’s Dependence on Congress and VIP

On the Mahagathbandhan side, the Congress is contesting 37 of its 61 seats, while Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is fighting 7 out of 12 seats in this phase. The alliance is relying heavily on VIP to mobilize Nishad (fisherfolk) voters, who make up around 2.6% of Bihar’s population.

Mukesh Sahni, who was earlier part of the NDA, switched sides after being promised the Deputy Chief Minister’s post by the Mahagathbandhan if it comes to power — making his performance crucial to the coalition’s caste arithmetic.

Tough Terrain in Tirhut and Mithilanchal

The Tirhut region has traditionally been an NDA stronghold. The Mahagathbandhan hopes to make inroads here, where the NDA currently holds 23 out of 30 seats, including 8 of 10 seats in Madhubani district.

Seemanchal’s Decisive Role: Owaisi and Kishor in Focus

In Seemanchal, a region with a large Muslim population, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM is once again a significant factor. In 2020, AIMIM had stunned observers by winning 5 of the 24 seats, hurting the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects. This time, the Congress is contesting 12 seats and RJD 9, hoping for Muslim vote consolidation, while the NDA banks on vote division to gain an edge.

Adding a new twist, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is positioning itself as a third front, aiming to disrupt the traditional bipolar narrative of Bihar politics. The record 65% voter turnout in the first phase has emboldened all camps — but if high turnout continues, predicting the ultimate beneficiary could become even more difficult.

Seat Distribution Snapshot

In the first phase, JD(U) contested 57 seats and BJP 48. In the second phase, the BJP is contesting 53 seats and JD(U) 44. On the opposition side, RJD is contesting 71 seats and CPI(ML) 6. Interestingly, some “friendly contests” between allies continue across several constituencies.

As the final phase nears, one thing is clear — smaller parties may hold the key to Bihar’s political equation this time. Whether their ground performance matches their pre-election confidence will soon be revealed at the counting table.