Bihar Elections 2025: Those seats in Bihar where strongmen dominate, when will voting take place on these seats this time?

National News: The 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections have been announced. The Election Commission released the schedule on October 6, 2025. Voting will take place in two phases – the first phase on November 6 (121 seats) and the second phase on November 11 (122 seats). The results will be declared on November 14. This change, compared to the three phases during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, has been made for voter convenience. However, the influence of musclemen is becoming more visible in this electoral battle. Most contested seats have been decided in the first phase itself.

Danapur: RJD Strongman’s Fortress

Danapur is considered the stronghold of strongman Reeta Lal Ray (RJD). He won this seat after being released from prison in 2020. He has more than 33 cases registered against him, including murder, extortion, and money laundering. He has assets worth over 27 crore rupees and debts of approximately 8 crore rupees. RJD is trying to retain its hold on this seat in 2025. In the 2020 assembly elections, RJD's Reeta Lal Ray won from here, while BJP's Asha Devi came in second.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Lalganj (Vaishali district) 

Lalganj is dominated by strongman Munna Shukla (Vijay Kumar Shukla). He won the seat in 2015 on a JD(U) ticket, but was convicted by the Supreme Court in a murder case. He faces over 18 charges. In 2020, BJP's Sanjay Kumar Singh won here. RJD may attempt a comeback in this seat. In 2020, BJP's Sanjay Kumar Singh secured a seat from here, securing his Patna seat, while Congress was defeated.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Raghunathpur (Siwan district) 

RJD has decided to field Shahabuddin's son, Osama Shahab, in the Raghunathpur seat. Due to his father's network and influence, RJD is confident of this seat. Harishankar Yadav (RJD) won this seat in 2020. In 2020, this seat went to the RJD, with Harishankar Yadav winning by approximately 18,000 votes, defeating Manoj Kumar Singh of the ALJP. It should be noted that Chirag Paswan contested the 2020 elections independently from the NDA.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Mokama (Patna district) 

Anant Kumar Singh, also known as 'Chhote Sarkar,' is a strongman in the region. He won the 2020 election on an RJD ticket. He has over 38 cases against him, including murder and kidnapping. He has assets worth over 68 crore rupees and debts of approximately 17 crore rupees. He defeated Rajiv Lochan of the JDU.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Maharajganj (Siwan district) 

RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin holds influence in Maharajganj. He faces kidnapping and murder charges. In 2020, Congress candidate Vijay Shankar Dubey won here in a close contest. Here, too, the NDA candidate was a JDU candidate.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Tarari (Bhojpur district)

Sunil Pandey, considered a strongman during the Lalu-Rabri regime, is the leading candidate for this seat. In 2020, he was defeated by Sudama Prasad of the CPIML. This time, the RJD will contest the seat in alliance. Discussions are ongoing as to who will win this seat this time.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

Vaishali (Vaishali district)

Vaishali was Brij Bihari Prasad's stronghold, where he won in 1990 and 1995. In 2020, JDU's Siddharth Patel won this seat. This time too, there is ongoing competition for tickets. However, no information has yet been released regarding ticket distribution.

Voting – November 6 (first phase)

2020 results and preparation for 2025

In 2020, the RJD emerged as the largest party (75 seats), but the NDA formed the government. The NDA won 125 seats, while the Grand Alliance secured 110. In 2025, the Grand Alliance, led by Tejashwi Yadav, appears to be stronger. Muslim, Yadav, and EBC votes will be targeted. RJD's control in seats with strong muscle power is expected to remain as strong as in 2020.

The shadow of strongmen and the battle for democracy

These seven seats clearly reflect the strongman influence in Bihar politics. They will be contested in the first phase itself. After voting on November 6th, the results will be declared on November 14th, revealing who will succeed in forming the government.