The 2025 Bihar legislative assembly elections have unfolded with a level of drama and controversy that few anticipated, leaving voters and observers alike questioning the priorities and tactics of the state’s political heavyweights. As the dust settles on the first phase of polling, held on November 6, the campaign trail has become a stage for allegations of voter fraud, caste-based maneuvering, and shifting alliances, all while the real issues facing one of India’s poorest states seem to have slipped into the background.
At the heart of the storm is Rahul Gandhi’s explosive claim—dubbed the ‘H bomb’—made on November 2, 2025. According to The Indian Express, the Leader of the Opposition alleged that a Brazilian model’s photo was fraudulently used on multiple voter ID cards in Haryana during the previous year’s elections. Gandhi dramatically challenged journalists to identify the woman whose image had appeared on several voter IDs, only to reveal she was a Brazilian who had, in his words, “voted in Haryana many times.” The model herself later released a video, stating she had never set foot in India. Gandhi’s allegations went further, accusing both the BJP and the Election Commission of colluding to cheat in elections not only in Haryana but also in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and other states.
This charge of electoral manipulation was quickly echoed by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, who repeated the ‘vote chori’ (vote theft) accusation at a rally in Bihar. But as The Indian Express notes, these repeated claims began to sound less like a rallying cry and more like an admission that the Congress-led coalition could be bracing for defeat. The Congress, once dominant across India, appeared to be pinning its hopes on a single issue—voter fraud—rather than addressing the broader concerns of Bihar’s electorate.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s campaign was marked by a different kind of rhetoric. Senior party leaders, including the Prime Minister, focused on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, with the Home Minister going so far as to refer to them as “termites” in the past. This hardline stance was particularly evident in constituencies with significant Muslim populations, raising fears among many that the BJP was seeking to polarize voters along communal lines. The Prime Minister’s own speeches, according to The Indian Express, “lowered the stature of his office” by leading the charge against so-called ‘ghuspatiyas’ (infiltrators).
Yet, the Congress Party’s response to these communal overtures was notably muted. Critics argued that if the party had remained true to its secular roots, it would have publicly challenged the BJP’s divisive tactics. Instead, the Congress appeared preoccupied with its allegations of electoral fraud, leaving a vacuum in the debate over the state’s future.
Adding another layer of complexity was the Election Commission’s decision to extend its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise to other states. This move, intended to address concerns about the accuracy of electoral rolls, has been viewed with suspicion by some, particularly those who fear it could be used to exclude Muslims from the voter lists. The Chief Election Commissioner’s perceived arrogance and lack of transparency have only fueled these suspicions, with opposition leaders demanding clear answers rather than curt rebuttals.
Amid this climate of mistrust and accusation, the campaign in Bihar has been widely described as “disappointing, dismal, and disturbing,” with major political figures focusing on issues that seem far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary Biharis. The BJP accused Congress leaders of disrespecting Sanatan Dharma because they did not visit the new Ram temple in Ayodhya, a charge that, as The Indian Express points out, is unlikely to resonate with voters more concerned about jobs, education, and infrastructure.
While the Congress and BJP traded barbs, another subplot was unfolding within the Grand Alliance, centered on the ambitions and setbacks of Mukesh Sahani, chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). On November 4, Sahani stunned observers by announcing that his brother, Santosh Sahani, would withdraw from the contest in Gaura Bauram to support Afzal Ali, an RJD rebel who had refused to step aside despite being expelled from his party. This move, reported by The Federal, was especially perplexing given that Santosh’s name remained on the electronic voting machines due to the Election Commission’s withdrawal deadline having passed.
Sahani, who had been projected as the Grand Alliance’s deputy chief ministerial candidate, chose not to contest the polls himself—a decision that baffled allies and supporters alike. The VIP, allotted 15 seats in the seat-sharing arrangement, saw its tally shrink further due to candidate rejections and last-minute withdrawals. This series of events cast doubt on the Grand Alliance’s strategy to consolidate the Nishad vote, a community that makes up 9.6% of Bihar’s population and includes sub-castes like Mallah, Bind, and Kevat.
Historically, the Nishad community has not been a monolithic voting bloc, often splitting their support among various parties and candidates. Both the NDA and Grand Alliance have courted Sahani for his symbolic value as the ‘son of Mallah,’ hoping to broaden their appeal beyond traditional vote banks. Yet, as Professor Rama Shankar Singh told The Federal, recent developments—including the VIP’s shrinking presence and internal discord—risk undermining this effort.
The NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD-U and the BJP, has redoubled its outreach to the Nishad community through welfare schemes and symbolic gestures. Nitish unveiled a statue of freedom fighter Jubba Sahni in 2023, while Prime Minister Modi announced a financial assistance scheme for fishermen in Jubba Sahni’s name as part of the NDA’s manifesto. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, especially among women voters, some of whom told The Federal they would support Nitish for his tangible contributions to education and welfare, rather than voting solely on caste lines.
Despite early enthusiasm for the VIP, especially among Nishad sub-castes, the party’s momentum appears to have waned following the Gaura Bauram controversy. Some supporters now accuse RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav of sabotaging the VIP’s prospects, fueling a sense of betrayal that could have electoral consequences. As one local resident put it, “Tejashwi wants Mallah votes but does not want a son of Mallah to grow in Bihar politics and become his challenger in the future.”
As Bihar awaits the results, due on November 14, the election has become a microcosm of larger national debates over identity, representation, and the integrity of democratic institutions. The campaign has left many voters disillusioned, searching for leaders who will address their real needs rather than stoke division or chase headlines. In a nod to what could be learned, The Indian Express cited Zohran Mamdani’s campaign in New York as an example of how to engage voters with substance and imagination, rather than spectacle and suspicion.
With the first phase of voting concluded and turnout significant, Bihar’s electorate has sent a message: they are watching closely, and their verdict will reflect not just the promises made, but the priorities chosen by those who seek to govern.
