Decisive election for a new Bihar

The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is poised to be historic in many ways. This election is not merely about a change of power but about a major shift in political thinking, issues, and leadership.

- PANKAJ MISHRA

After more than two decades, it seems that the state is on the verge of entering a new era, one defined by new leadership, a younger generation, and a fresh political approach.

This time, the contest goes beyond the traditional rivalry between the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA. A third force Jan Suraj has emerged as a ray of hope. Through transparent candidate selection and a grassroots style of campaigning, it has managed to build trust among the people. Its rise has forced traditional parties to rethink their strategies. Clearly, this election is not just about caste equations but about competing ideas and the agenda of development.

For a long time, Bihar's politics has been trapped in the web of caste-based calculations. Elections often revolved around vote banks shaped by caste identity. But this time, the mood seems different. Young voters, migrant Biharis, and urban citizens are showing greater interest in issues that directly affect their lives. The common voter now understands that casting a vote merely on caste identity will not change their family's future.