New political outfits emerge in Bihar, challenging traditional players ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
NEW DELHI: Politics in Bihar is gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections, scheduled to take place later this year. Although the official election dates are yet to be announced, all political parties have already shifted gears and begun groundwork. Interestingly, several prominent leaders have floated new political outfits, aiming to challenge the dominance of established players.
While these emerging, smaller parties may not drastically transform the political fabric of Bihar on their own, they still hold strategic importance. By securing a limited number of seats, these caste-based outfits could play the role of kingmakers, lending critical support to larger political entities like the BJP or Congress. This support may prove vital in forming a stable government if the election results yield a fragmented mandate.
Significantly, the past eight months have witnessed a marked rise in the emergence of new political parties in Bihar, pointing to growing public discontent with traditional political entities and an increasing appetite for change.
Political strategist Prashant Kishor launched Jan Suraaj, a party that promotes a development-driven and caste-neutral political approach. Former JDU leader R.C.P. Singh introduced his party, Aap Sabki Awaaz, exposing internal divisions within his former organisation. Additionally, ex-IPS officer Shivdeep Lande formed Hind Sena, which seeks to resonate with the youth and emphasises themes of law and order. The launch of the Indian Inquilab Party has added another dimension to the political landscape, making it evident that the 2025 elections will involve more than just the usual competition among JDU, RJD, BJP, and Congress. These new political players may alter existing voter preferences and test whether Bihar is ready to embrace a new political paradigm.
I.P. Gupta, the National President of the All India Pan Mahasangh, recently announced the name of his newly launched political party, declaring that the time has come to amplify the voices of marginalised communities within the corridors of power. Addressing a large gathering, he made it clear that his party does not intend to merely participate in the elections, but to make history through transformational politics.
Gupta challenged the dominance of traditional political stalwarts, stating that the careers of leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Ram Vilas Paswan gained strength primarily due to the unified support of their respective communities. Now that historically marginalised communities such as the Tanti-Tatva have awakened—communities that were not only politically sidelined but also denied their rightful reservation benefits—they are prepared to emerge as an independent political force. Gupta asserted that the Indian Inquilab Party would contest every seat with strength and bring about a revolutionary shift in Bihar’s political discourse.
A Jan Suraaj party insider revealed to The Sunday Guardian that a significant portion of the electorate is currently dissatisfied with the ruling Janata Dal United or JDU. However, due to persistent caste divisions, many of these discontented voters are reluctant to lend their support to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In this context, Jan Suraaj, which positions itself as a caste-neutral and development-focused outfit, could serve as a credible alternative.
The insider further explained that Jan Suraaj is building its campaign on the premise that traditional caste-driven parties have historically exploited caste-based loyalties to gain power yet failed to deliver substantive progress. By advocating for an inclusive, merit-based system, Jan Suraaj aims to attract voters weary of caste-centric politics and looking for meaningful change.
A political analyst closely monitoring Bihar’s evolving political scenario recently shared his observations with The Sunday Guardian. He pointed out that caste has long been a dominant force shaping electoral choices in the state. Traditionally, voters have supported candidates from their own caste groups, leading to a deeply entrenched caste-based political system. However, he noted a gradual shift in this pattern, driven by a more politically aware electorate and changing social dynamics. Increasingly, voters—particularly younger and urban populations—are prioritising development-oriented politics focused on better governance, infrastructure development, education, and employment opportunities over rigid caste considerations.
Nevertheless, the analyst also cautioned that caste cannot be entirely removed from Bihar’s political equation. It continues to wield considerable influence, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Should communities that have traditionally aligned with caste-based parties maintain their support, these parties could still manage to win between two and five seats in the upcoming elections. While such numbers may appear marginal, they could prove decisive in forming a coalition government. These smaller, caste-driven parties—despite their limited electoral success—could still play the role of kingmakers by extending support to larger parties such as the BJP or Congress. Their alliance could be key to ensuring the stability of the next government in the event of a fragmented mandate.