Patna: As Bihar heads to Assembly elections next month, political dynasties continue to dominate the state’s electoral map. From the ruling alliances to opposition camps, nearly every party features candidates related to established political figures a trend deeply entrenched in the state’s power structure.
The 243-member Bihar Assembly will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14.
Dynasty Candidates Across Party Lines
From the RJD to the BJP, JD(U), HAM, and other regional outfits, several family-linked candidates have entered the poll fray. Key names include RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s younger son and political heir, contesting from Raghopur; BJP’s Samrat Choudhary, son of former minister Shakuni Choudhary, from Tarapur; and RJD’s Osama Shahab, son of late Mohammad Shahabuddin, from Raghunathpur.
Among others are Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s Snehlata, wife of party chief Upendra Kushwaha, contesting from Sasaram, and BJP’s Nitish Mishra, son of former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, from Jhanjharpur. HAM’s Deepa Manjhi, daughter-in-law of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, is running from Imamganj, while Jan Suraaj’s Jagriti Thakur, granddaughter of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, is contesting from Morwa.
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RJD’s Chanakya Prasad Ranjan, son of JD(U) MP Girdhari Prasad Yadav, has filed his nomination from Belhar, completing a long list of politically connected candidates.
Expert Critique on Dynastic Politics
Vidyarthi Vikas, Assistant Professor at A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies, told PTI that every major political party in Bihar has succumbed to dynastic politics. “The influx of dynasts shows that parties are no longer concerned with ideological or democratic principles,” he said. “People must oppose such trends, but low education levels prevent this.”
Vikas cited data from the latest caste survey, which revealed that only 14.71 percent of Bihar’s population has passed Class 10. “Low educational awareness allows parties to exploit voters and promote candidates based on family connections rather than merit,” he added.
Voices from Political Parties
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary acknowledged that party workers today find it difficult to rise without powerful backing. “Ordinary workers rarely get a chance to contest, while elections have become driven by glamour and money power,” he told PTI, adding that uneven use of funds has distorted the political competition.
Meanwhile, Bihar BJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar defended his party, stressing that the BJP values performance and dedication over lineage. “The BJP stands for organisational work and public service. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an example he rose from humble beginnings through sheer hard work,” Kumar said.
With Bihar preparing for another tightly contested poll season, one thing appears unchanged — dynasty remains one of the state’s strongest political traditions.
(with inputs from PTI)