As Bihar prepares for its upcoming Assembly elections later this year, the political arena is witnessing strategic mobilisation from all major players. The state appears poised for a triangular contest between the ruling NDA, the INDIA bloc (also known as the Mahagathbandhan), and Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party.
Leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties have already begun grassroots-level preparations. The alliance is working actively to mobilize a broad social coalition, including its traditional support bases.
The opposition’s strategy revolves around core issues such as inflation, unemployment, the demand for a caste-based census, and regional development. Booth-level coordination and worker activation are already underway across the state.
RJD Banks on M-Y Equation
The RJD continues to rely on the tried-and-tested Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) combination, which has historically been its strongest voter base. While Muslim voters largely gravitate toward Congress, the Yadav community remains firmly behind the RJD. Additionally, the alliance expects significant support from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), which could further strengthen its electoral position.
Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition and RJD’s chief ministerial face, has placed unemployment at the center of the campaign. He has promised a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹1,500 for youth if the alliance comes to power — a proposal gaining considerable traction among first-time and unemployed voters.
Tejashwi’s Popularity on the Rise
Public rallies held by the RJD have witnessed large crowds, particularly among the youth, signaling Tejashwi’s growing appeal. Many see him as a youthful alternative to the current leadership, especially on issues such as job creation, social justice, and governance reforms.
To further attract women voters, the INDIA bloc is also considering schemes such as distributing scooters and laptops to girls who pass their intermediate and graduation levels — a policy designed to rival the NDA’s women-centric welfare initiatives.
Alliance Partners in Strategy Mode
The INDIA bloc has proven to be a formidable force in Bihar in past elections. In the 2020 Assembly polls, RJD emerged as the single largest party, and the alliance overall performed well. This time, Mahagathbandhan appears more cohesive, with stronger coordination between its partners.
Congress, often seen as the weaker link in the alliance, has stepped up its organisational efforts. Meetings and reviews are being held at the district level, with renewed focus on grassroots mobilisation and candidate selection. Seat-sharing talks with RJD have so far remained cordial, strengthening the unity of the bloc.
As the poll season nears, the INDIA bloc is betting on its unified messaging and on-ground worker network to pose a serious challenge to the NDA’s hold on Bihar.
