SBSP Chief Rajbhar Threatens Solo Run in Bihar Polls if NDA Talks Fail

Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president and Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar announced on Friday that his party is prepared to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections independently if seat-sharing negotiations with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) collapse. Speaking at the SBSP headquarters in Rasra, Ballia, Rajbhar emphasized his party’s growing influence among Bihar’s backward castes and its readiness to challenge the status quo in the state’s polarized political landscape.

“Our first preference is to contest the elections in alliance with the NDA. Around 70% of the discussions have been finalized, and 30% is still pending,” Rajbhar told reporters. However, he warned that if “pressure from certain Bihar leaders” derails an agreement, SBSP is “fully prepared” to go solo, actively working on 156 of Bihar’s 243 seats. Rajbhar, a two-term MLA and vocal advocate for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), claimed his party enjoys significant support among Rajbhar, Rajvanshi, and other marginalized communities, promising to field candidates who will champion their issues in the assembly.

Rajbhar explicitly ruled out joining the opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, but hinted at forming a separate front with other non-aligned parties. “Many parties are working outside the INDIA alliance, and talks are underway with some of them,” he said, signaling potential alliances with smaller regional players. This stance follows his earlier demand for 30 seats within the NDA, with a threat to contest up to 150 if denied a “respectable” share, reflecting tensions within the coalition.

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The SBSP chief also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of undermining India’s electoral credibility abroad while staying silent when his party wins. “If Rahul Gandhi believes elections are rigged, he should provide evidence,” Rajbhar said, alleging that Gandhi’s remarks stem from sensing defeat in Bihar, likening them to former PM V.P. Singh’s tactics. He further criticized the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government for neglecting EBCs and failing on law and order, advocating for Uttar Pradesh’s “Yogi model” of governance in Bihar.

Rajbhar’s Bihar push builds on SBSP’s organizational efforts, including 24 rallies across the state since February 2025, targeting OBC and EBC voters. His party’s influence was evident in last year’s Bihar by-elections, where SBSP claims its support helped the NDA sweep all four seats. However, analysts warn that a solo run could split NDA votes, benefiting the RJD-led INDIA bloc, especially after its strong 23.11% vote share in the 2020 elections. The RJD, bolstered by recent additions like Pasmanda Muslim leader Ali Anwar Ansari and Pashupati Kumar Paras, is intensifying its campaign to woo Dalits and OBCs.

With the Election Commission yet to announce the poll schedule, expected by September for October-November voting, Bihar’s 2025 elections are shaping up as a high-stakes battle. The NDA, comprising BJP, JD(U), LJP(R), and HAM(S), faces challenges from a resurgent RJD, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party contesting all 243 seats, and now Rajbhar’s potential solo bid. Rajbhar’s remarks underscore the fragile dynamics within the NDA, where allies like Chirag Paswan have also raised concerns, complicating seat-sharing talks. As Bihar grapples with unemployment, migration, and caste politics, SBSP’s entry could reshape the electoral arithmetic in this crucial heartland state.

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