The political battleground of Bihar is alive once again. The Election Commission on Monday announced the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the state. The polls will be held in two phases, &nbsp;the first on November 6 and the second on November 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14, 2025. According to the Election Commission, 7.43 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this election, including 14 lakh first-time voters who will exercise their franchise in the state polls.
<h4 data-start="1133" data-end="1194">Nitish Kumar: The Last Stand of the &ldquo;Sushashan Babu&rdquo;</h4>
At 74, Nitish Kumar stands at a crossroads in a career spanning over two decades at the helm. Once hailed as &ldquo;Sushashan Babu&rdquo;, the man who restored governance and dignity to Bihar, Nitish today battles a perception problem. Once the face of stability, he&rsquo;s now often mocked as the face of political flip-flops. Viral clips have raised questions about his health and stamina, but his grip on Bihar&rsquo;s political levers remains intact.
Despite murmurs within the BJP, the party has refrained from naming an alternative, making it clear that Nitish Kumar remains the coalition&rsquo;s face. But the looming question persists, will Bihar witness Nitish&rsquo;s return for a record tenth oath-taking, or is this election the epilogue of an era that once defined the state&rsquo;s turnaround story?
<h4 data-start="1986" data-end="2036">Tejashwi Yadav: The Heir Turned Contender</h4>
If Nitish represents Bihar&rsquo;s past, Tejashwi Yadav is its untested future. The 35-year-old leader, son of the formidable Lalu Prasad Yadav, shoulders the legacy of both his father&rsquo;s charisma and his controversies. In the 2020 Assembly polls, RJD emerged as the single-largest party but fell short of power due to a weak Congress performance.
This time, Tejashwi stands alone, his father unwell, his allies uncertain, and his opponents more formidable than ever. After a lukewarm Lok Sabha outing, he has returned to the streets with renewed aggression. His&nbsp;&ldquo;Bihar Adhikar Yatra&rdquo; has been an effort to reconnect with voters, blending youthful energy with emotional appeal. But against the BJP&rsquo;s well-oiled electoral machinery, Tejashwi&rsquo;s real challenge will be translating sympathy and nostalgia into seats.
For the RJD scion, this election isn&rsquo;t just about power, it&rsquo;s about proving he&rsquo;s not merely Lalu&rsquo;s son, but a leader in his own right.
<h4 data-start="3002" data-end="3060">Prashant Kishor: The Strategist Becomes the Story</h4>
For years, Prashant Kishor crafted the victories of others from Narendra Modi&rsquo;s 2014 wave to Nitish Kumar&rsquo;s 2015 comeback. Now, he steps into the ring himself with his fledgling outfit, Jan Suraaj Party. What began as a state-wide yatra in 2022 has evolved into a grassroots movement, at least in appearance.
Kishor, known for his razor-sharp analytics and unconventional campaign designs, has traded data rooms for dusty village roads. His speeches, critical of Bihar&rsquo;s political culture have drawn both applause and derision. Critics accuse him of arrogance; supporters call him the&nbsp;disruptor Bihar needs.
Many dismiss his chances, yet others compare him to Arvind Kejriwal&rsquo;s early political experiments. Whether Kishor&rsquo;s debut ends in disruption or disappointment will be among this election&rsquo;s most watched subplots.
<h4 data-start="3912" data-end="3939">The Verdict Awaits</h4>
As Bihar prepares to vote, the air is thick with uncertainty. Will the Defender hold on, the Challenger rise, or the Disruptor rewrite the rules?
One thing is certain, this election isn&rsquo;t just about power. It&rsquo;s about legacy, leadership, and the changing face of Bihar.

Defender, Challenger, Disruptor: Bihar Decides

Bihar polls in two phases: voting on Nov 6 and 11, results to be declared on Nov 14

Defender, Challenger, Disruptor: Bihar Decides

Bihar polls in two phases: voting on Nov 6 and 11, results to be declared on Nov 14

October 6, 2025 | 17:33 IST