Dynasts Dominate Bihar Elections: ADR Flags Strong Family Influence Across Parties
ADR finds 30–40% of Bihar poll candidates from dynastic families; elections test voter response to legacies.
As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections on November 6 and 11, 2025, the return of dynastic candidates across party lines underscores the enduring grip of family legacies on the state's fiercely competitive political arena. Despite Bihar's persistent challenges with poverty, unemployment, and migration, its voters remain acutely aware of electoral dynamics, yet dynastic figures continue to dominate candidate lists from major parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)). A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that regional parties in Bihar exhibit 30% to 40% dynasticism, with 96 out of 243 sitting MPs, MLAs, and MLCs hailing from political families.
This trend, observed nationwide among 5,204 legislators where 1,106 have dynastic ties, highlights Uttar Pradesh's lead with 141 such representatives, followed by Maharashtra's 129. Political observers like Arun Kumar Pandey note that parties inevitably turn to these inheritors of legacies from ancestors, spouses, or relatives, perpetuating a cycle that critics argue entrenches inequality.
Prominent dynasts in the fray exemplify this phenomenon, blending inherited influence with contemporary ambitions. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, son of former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, is seeking re-election from Raghopur in Vaishali district, positioning himself as the party's heir apparent. On the BJP side, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary—son of former MP Shakuni Choudhary—leads the charge, while Nitin Nabin contests from Patna's Bankipore and Sanjeev Chaurasia from Digha.
The RJD has also fielded Shivani Shukla, daughter of jailed former MLA Munna Shukla, in Lalganj, and Rahul Tiwary in Shahpur. Even independents like Osama Shahab, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, are entering the ring. These candidatures span the ideological spectrum, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2024 parliamentary assertion that family-run parties pose a "threat to democracy". No major alliance has shunned such nominees, reflecting the strategic value of established voter bases in Bihar's caste-infused politics.
The ADR report attributes dynastic prevalence to India's cultural emphasis on family traditions, which voters often view as a justification for hereditary leadership, though it warns of societal division through a "birth-based ruling class". Young voters like Patna MBA student Rupesh Kumar, eyeing a 2029 Lok Sabha bid, acknowledge the deep roots of dynasticism alongside casteism but urge party leaders to prioritise merit in ticket distribution. This sentiment echoes broader calls for reform in a state where economic underdevelopment amplifies the stakes: Bihar's per capita income lags national averages, and youth migration remains rampant. As electronic voting machines (EVMs) prepare to decide outcomes, the elections could signal whether voters prioritise familiarity or demand fresh, merit-driven representation amid pressing issues like job creation and infrastructure.
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With polling split over two phases to manage logistics in Bihar's 243 constituencies, the results will not only shape the next government but also test the resilience of dynastic politics in one of India's most electorally vibrant states. Alliances like the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan are locked in a bipolar contest, where family pedigrees could sway marginal seats. If dynasts prevail, it may reinforce the status quo; rejection could embolden anti-nepotism voices, aligning with Modi's critique and ADR's advocacy for transparent selections. As Bihar's 7.5 crore electorate—known for high turnout—heads to the polls, the ballot box remains the ultimate arbiter of whether legacy trumps livelihood concerns.
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