Bihar Election 2025: The land of Bihar has always been a laboratory of political experiments. Here the images of the leaders are not built by speeches, but by the movement. From Jayaprakash Narayan to Lalu Prasad Yadav and now Tejashwi Yadav, a face has emerged in every era which shook the equations of the chair of power. With the knock of the 2025 assembly elections, a name is echoing again in the political corridors of Bihar. This face, once called ‘Lalu’s son’, has now slowly established itself as a serious contender in Bihar politics. But the question is, is Tejashwi just taking advantage of the heritage or do they really have the power to change the caste equations of Bihar?
The burden or power of political heritage?
Tejashwi Yadav’s biggest strength is his identity is the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav. But this identity is also a burden for him. While one section considers Lalu’s rule of social justice, the other calls him Jungle Raj. Tejashwi has tried to separate himself from this image, restraint in words, employment in issues, and echo of youth aspirations in speeches. He has tried to turn the direction of his political career beyond ethnic mobilization and turn towards politics of development and opportunity.
Graf from 2015 to 2020: RJD’s journey under Tejashwi’s leadership
In 2015, when the Grand Alliance defeated the BJP, Tejashwi became the Deputy Chief Minister. At that time he was inexperienced but had seen politically intense eye analysts that this young leader would soon make the identity of himself. RJD became the largest party in the 2020 assembly elections. Although some seats remained away from power, Tejashwi’s ’10 lakh jobs’ appeal, especially the youth and unemployed sections. This was the first time that more employment politics than caste was heard in Bihar.
Ethnic equation: Are Tejashwi really doing something new?
The backbone of Bihar politics has always been ethnic mathematics. Yadav, Muslim, Kushwaha, Savarna, Mahadalit – The same words decide the equation of power in every election. Tejashwi Yadav is considered the leader of the traditional My (Muslim-Yadav) equation, but in 2020 he tried to break it. Adopted a strategy to bring Bhumihar, Kushwaha, Paswan, Dalit and women voters into their court. Their language is no longer limited to reservation or social justice, they talk openly on employment, education, health and corruption*. This change is not just a strategy, but a generational change.
Tejashwi’s new style: not aggression in speeches, talks and future talks
The style is as important in politics as ideology. Tejashwi placed the fact and approach instead of resentment in his speeches. While BJP leaders create an atmosphere with the help of nationalism and ‘Modi magic’, stunning unemployment, examination scams, recruitment of teachers and migration emphasizes the ground issues of Bihar. Things like their “youth of Bihar now want employment in Bihar but in Bihar” not only affect the emotional level but also give rise to an alternative political discourse.
BJP and JDU challenge: Can the government be defeated?
Whether or not BJP and Nitish Kumar’s alliance will run till 2025, it is uncertain, but this is the biggest challenge of Tejashwi. Tejashwi knows that OBC, Dalit and women class will have to be brought directly to their agenda to break the caste equation. At the same time, BJP’s Modi brand, RSS organization and JDU’s regional network is a big wall in front of him.
Grand Alliance or Battle alone: What options exist?
If Tejashwi wants to reach the Chief Minister’s chair in 2025, then he will have to take not only the public but also political allies. Congress, Left and other regional forces can increase the strength of RJD, but Tejashwi will have to show that he is capable of becoming the face of the coalition and not only the big leader’s heir.
Reality vs. hope: Is the people of Bihar ready to change?
The biggest question is, will the people of Bihar rise above caste identity and give importance to development and leadership? If yes, Tejashwi Yadav has everything that makes a leader popular, young face, clean image, understanding of issues, and weight of heritage. But if Bihar once again returns to ethnic division, then the politics of Tejashwi can only be reduced to speeches.
Mission 2025 – Avasar or final exam?
Tejashwi Yadav’s mission 2025 is not just an election campaign, but an attempt to give a new direction to the politics of Bihar. This is a turn where political heritage, youth energy, ethnic complexity and public aspiration are hitting each other. If Tejashwi can convert this conflict into balance, then not only Bihar will get a new leader, but it will also indicate that in India, politics will now be decided on the basis of work, not the caste. It remains to be seen whether this mission of Tejashwi becomes the carrier of change or is lost somewhere in the old shadows of politics.