Poorest candidates Bihar Election 2025: The first phase of Bihar assembly elections is presenting a strange picture of money power and simplicity. On one hand, about 40 percent of the candidates contesting are millionaires, while on the other hand, there are some candidates who barely have enough money in their pockets to cover the nomination fees. According to the report by ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms) and Bihar Election Watch, the average assets of a total of 1303 candidates who filed nominations from 121 assembly constituencies is Rs 3.26 crore. But amidst all this glamour, there are some candidates who are fighting the biggest battle of democracy while living the reality of their poverty.
Poorest candidate: Only Rs 1,000 in pocket
In this battle for democracy, the name of Mojahid Alam of SUCI (Communist) Party from Darbhanga is at the top in the list of poorest candidates. According to his affidavit, his net worth is just Rs 1,000. This figure shows that they do not even have the necessary money to enter politics, but their intentions are high.
At the second place in this list is Shatrughan Verma, the People’s Party of India candidate from Barh assembly constituency of Patna, whose total assets are also recorded as only Rs 1,000. In third place is Shiv Kumar Yadav, contesting from Meenapur in Muzaffarpur, whose total assets are Rs 2,023.
Money power and decreasing women power in politics
The presence of these poor candidates shows that even today there are people in Bihar politics who, without grand campaign machinery, convoy of vehicles and property worth crores, have come into the fray only to strengthen democracy. They are trying to reach the public with simplicity.
However, another aspect of the report is worrying. Of the total 1,303 candidates, 423 have criminal cases registered against them. Furthermore, the number of women candidates in politics is still very limited. The percentage of women candidates in the first phase is only 9% (121), which shows low participation of women in politics.
Democracy is the platform of dreams of common people
At a time when the influence of muscle power and money power is continuously increasing in politics, these candidates with assets worth Rs 1000 have emerged as an example. They remind that politics is not just a game of the rich, but it is also a platform for the dreams of the common people. These candidates are showing courage to contest the elections with simplicity and honesty amidst the glare of crores of rupees. This aspect of Bihar elections proves that in a democracy, a candidate’s connection with the public is more important than his wealth.