Bihar Election Dates May Drop Any Day as ECI Heads There Soon
EC’s likely visit to Bihar is fuelling speculation of election dates being announced soon.
As Bihar braces for its crucial assembly elections slated for October-November 2025, anticipation builds around the Election Commission's (EC) impending visit to the state early next month. This routine prelude typically signals the announcement of polling dates within a day or two, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc.
The NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], aims to extend its governance under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In the current 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly, the coalition commands 131 seats, bolstered by BJP's 80 MLAs, JD(U)'s 45, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAM(S)]'s 4, and support from two independents.
Conversely, the INDIA bloc, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), seeks to reclaim power with its 111 seats, including RJD's dominant 77, Congress's 19, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation [CPI(ML)]'s 11, CPI(M)'s 2, and CPI's 2.
Adding to the pre-poll fervor, the Congress party has scheduled its Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting for September 24 at Sadaqat Ashram, the party's Bihar headquarters in Patna. Key attendees include party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, state president Rajesh Ram, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and Legislative Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan. Allavaru, during a Monday press conference, outlined discussions on critical issues such as alleged "vote chori" (vote theft), rising crime, unemployment, and inflation plaguing the state.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Brands ECI “Vote Theft Protector” Amid Allegations
In a bid to consolidate support ahead of the polls, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has rolled out populist measures. These include free electricity for households, the appointment of over 10,000 'Vikas Mitras' to educate Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities on government schemes, and financial aid of ₹10,000 each to more than 30,000 Shiksha Sevaks and Talimi Markaz workers.
These grassroots educators play a vital role in linking Mahadalit, minority, and extremely backward community children to formal schooling, with the funds earmarked for smartphone purchases to enhance outreach.
As the EC's visit looms, Bihar's political landscape pulses with strategic maneuvers, from alliance fortification to voter-centric welfare initiatives, promising a fiercely contested electoral showdown that could reshape the state's future.
Also Read: Rahul's Vote Theft Claims 'Baseless Bluster': Pawar, Shinde Criticize Congress
