Jokihat Turns High-Voltage Battle as Three Former Ministers and Taslimuddin’s Sons Clash for Victory

National news:  In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Jokihat in Araria has emerged as the most high-profile battleground. The constituency is witnessing an extraordinary triangular contest. Three former ministers are pitted against each other. Adding to the drama, two of them are sons of the late central minister Taslimuddin, a towering figure in Seemanchal politics. Sarfaraz Alam is contesting from Jan Suraj, while his younger brother Shahnawaz Alam is fielded by RJD. From JDU, Manzar Alam has also joined the fray, making it a battle of heavyweights.

Sarfaraz Alam’s long journey

Elder son of Taslimuddin, Sarfaraz Alam, entered politics in 1996. He represented Jokihat four times and briefly served as Araria MP in 2018. He has switched between RJD and JDU, and is now with Jan Suraj.

Manzar Alam trusted by JDU

Manzar Alam, a loyal JDU leader, won in 2005 and served as Minority Welfare Minister. Though sidelined in later elections, he has been brought back by JDU in 2025 to reclaim Jokihat. Shahnawaz Alam made his debut in 2020 on AIMIM ticket. He defeated his own brother Sarfaraz in a sensational contest. Later, he joined RJD with other AIMIM MLAs and became Bihar’s Disaster Management Minister.

AIMIM fields Murshid Alam

AIMIM, which won Jokihat in 2020, has again fielded Murshid Alam. A five-time mukhiya and district chief of AIMIM, he has grassroots influence. His candidacy adds further heat to the contest. Sarfaraz moved from JDU to RJD and now to Jan Suraj under Prashant Kishor. Shahnawaz shifted from AIMIM to RJD. Frequent shifts highlight deep cracks and changing loyalties in Seemanchal politics.

Jokihat voters hold the key

With three former ministers and AIMIM’s grassroots candidate in the fray, Jokihat has become a political cauldron. The voters’ decision will decide whether legacy, loyalty, or fresh energy wins. The outcome may also reshape Seemanchal’s political future.