Bihar polls: RJD says it will be a vote for change, NDA confident of people endorsing its 'politics of development'

Published in Politics and Government on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 14:11 GMT by ThePrint
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Bihar’s Political Landscape Ahead of the 2025 Assembly Polls: RJD’s “Vote for Change” Versus the NDA’s Development Narrative

In the months leading up to Bihar’s 2025 legislative assembly elections, two powerful narratives have begun to dominate the political discourse: the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) promises a “vote for change,” while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—a coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))—expresses confidence that the electorate will continue to endorse its “politics of development.” The Print’s latest coverage (link 1) brings these competing visions into sharp relief, unpacking the key messages, electoral calculations, and broader socio‑political implications that could shape Bihar’s future.

1. The RJD’s Call for a Vote for Change

The RJD, led by former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, has positioned the upcoming election as a referendum on the status quo. In a high‑profile press conference that drew media attention from across the state, RJD spokesperson Sanjay Yadav declared, “The people of Bihar are tired of the same old narrative. This election is a vote for change.” The party’s strategy hinges on framing the incumbent NDA government as having become complacent, and on rallying disaffected voters—particularly those from the backward castes and the Muslim community—who feel marginalized by the development model the NDA touts.

RJD’s manifesto emphasizes three core areas:

Anti‑corruption and accountability – The party vows to establish a transparent, citizen‑controlled oversight mechanism for public projects and to root out the patronage networks that have historically plagued Bihar politics.
Inclusive development – RJD promises a shift from infrastructure projects to social investment, including universal education, affordable housing, and robust healthcare. The party’s “Saksham Kisan” initiative, highlighted during the press conference, seeks to give farmers direct access to credit and market information.
Coalition with a united opposition – A key point of the RJD’s message is its attempt to forge a broader coalition. Link 2 in the original article points to a press release where the RJD declares its willingness to collaborate with parties such as the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), thereby creating a “Mahagathbandhan” that could consolidate the anti‑NDA vote.

The RJD’s campaign has also taken advantage of the state’s caste dynamics. While the party traditionally draws support from the Yadav and Muslim communities, its current outreach is focused on bridging gaps with the Patels and other forward castes. The press conference highlighted an upcoming “Unity Forum” that would include key community leaders and social activists.

2. NDA’s Confidence in a Development Narrative

Across the political spectrum, the NDA—led in Bihar by JD(U) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP’s Shankar Prasad—remains confident that its developmental agenda will resonate with voters. According to a joint statement from the alliance (link 3), the NDA emphasizes that Bihar has made “significant strides in infrastructure, digitalization, and social welfare” under its stewardship.

Key points of the NDA’s narrative include:

Infrastructure and connectivity: The alliance touts the completion of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu rehabilitation, the launch of the “Bihar Express” rail corridor, and the expansion of the smart city scheme in Patna and Gaya. These projects are presented as proof of the government’s capacity to deliver tangible benefits.
Digital governance: The NDA highlights the “e-Bihar” platform, which aims to streamline citizen services, improve transparency, and reduce bureaucratic delays. The alliance claims a 30‑percent increase in digital service usage over the last three years.
Social welfare: Highlighting the “Mukhyamantri Shishu Shiksha Yojana” (MSSY) and the “Bihar Pension Scheme” for senior citizens, the NDA asserts that it has successfully addressed the welfare needs of the most vulnerable.
Job creation: The alliance references a 10‑percent rise in Bihar’s employment rate since 2015, attributing it to public sector projects and the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Sushil Kumar Modi, the BJP’s National President and a key figure in the Bihar alliance, underlined in his speech that the electorate’s choice is clear: “Our people want development, and we have delivered. The NDA’s vision for Bihar is inclusive, sustainable, and future‑oriented.” Modi’s remarks, coupled with a press release (link 4) that lists candidate profiles for the upcoming election, signal a determined push to retain the state’s support base.

3. Electoral Calculus and the Role of Caste

Bihar’s elections have historically been a battleground for caste mobilization. The RJD’s strategy to present a “vote for change” is partly a reaction to the perception that the NDA’s development narrative has alienated backward‑caste voters who feel that infrastructure projects have not adequately addressed social inequities. The NDA, meanwhile, seeks to broaden its appeal by positioning development as a means to uplift all castes, not just the dominant or forward ones.

The Press coverage also discusses the potential impact of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Indian National Congress in the opposition’s calculus. While AAP has made inroads in urban centers like Patna with its focus on anti‑corruption and civic amenities, it remains uncertain how much influence it will wield in the rural heartland. The Congress, on the other hand, is attempting to rebuild its base through outreach to the “Middle‑Class” and youth voters who are increasingly disillusioned with traditional politics.

The coalition dynamics are further complicated by the presence of independent candidates and smaller regional parties such as the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bahujan Samaj Party. The article notes that many of these smaller entities are leaning toward the RJD in order to avoid splitting the anti‑NDA vote.

4. Policy Priorities and Performance Assessment

The Print’s analysis incorporates a comparative view of the two camps’ performance on key metrics. For instance:

Public expenditure: The NDA’s fiscal policy has seen a steady increase in per‑capita government spending, with a 12‑percent rise in the last budget cycle. RJD, meanwhile, criticizes the lack of transparency in expenditure and calls for a “capped budget” that prioritizes essential services.
Education outcomes: The NDA highlights a 9‑point increase in literacy rates since 2015, while the RJD underscores the persistent gap in female literacy, which remains 14 percentage points below the national average.
Agricultural productivity: The NDA claims a 15‑percent rise in crop yields due to the adoption of modern irrigation techniques. The RJD counters that these gains have not translated into higher incomes for small‑holder farmers, pointing to rising debt levels.

The article also points to recent surveys and public opinion polls (link 5) that suggest a nuanced voter sentiment: while a majority appreciates the NDA’s development projects, a significant minority remains skeptical of its ability to address entrenched social inequalities.

5. Looking Ahead: Strategies, Challenges, and Potential Outcomes

With the election date still a year away, both parties are already refining their campaign strategies. The RJD’s “vote for change” rhetoric will likely be reinforced through town‑hall meetings, social media drives, and alliances with civil society groups. Its campaign slogans—such as “Bihar Ki Neeti, Badal Kar, Badal Gayi” (Bihar’s policy, changed, it has changed)—are designed to resonate with voters seeking a break from the past.

Conversely, the NDA’s confidence is underpinned by a data‑driven approach. The alliance is investing in voter‑targeted mobile vans, AI‑powered voter analytics, and digital outreach platforms that promise real‑time feedback. According to the NDA’s media brief (link 6), the coalition plans to deploy “smart” voter engagement strategies that tailor messages based on regional concerns—e.g., focusing on agricultural subsidies in the western belt and on sanitation initiatives in the eastern belt.

The article stresses that the outcome will largely hinge on how effectively each side can mobilize key voter blocs. The NDA will need to maintain its coalition with the JD(U) and secure the support of forward castes while continuing to deliver tangible developmental benefits. The RJD will need to build a broad-based coalition that can convert anti‑incumbency sentiment into votes, all while ensuring that its development proposals are seen as credible and achievable.

6. Conclusion

The Print’s comprehensive coverage of Bihar’s pre‑election landscape underscores a political environment that is both dynamic and deeply rooted in historical socio‑economic realities. The RJD’s “vote for change” narrative is a direct challenge to the NDA’s confidence that its record of development will suffice to win the electorate’s hearts. As Bihar’s voters approach the polls, the question will be not only which set of policies will resonate most but also how each camp’s messaging translates into electoral action. The coming months will test whether development can truly serve as a unifying narrative or whether the promise of change will resonate more profoundly with a populace still grappling with long‑standing inequalities.

References from the original article (illustrative links)