Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Bihar will become the first state to hold elections after the Waqf law, how beneficial will it be for CM Nitish Kumar to support the bill?

The stir for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 has intensified and meanwhile the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is adding new dimensions to the politics of the state. Bihar has become the first state in India, where this election is going to be held after the passage of a Waqf law. In such a situation, this issue can have a profound impact on the vote bank politics and the strategies of the parties.

About 18 percent of Bihar's Muslim population not only reflects the cultural diversity of the state, but also plays a decisive role in many assembly constituencies. RJD, Congress and now Jan Suraj Party are putting all their strength to get the support of this community. The trend of Muslim votes in Seemanchal, Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia and areas of East Bihar has the power to change the electoral equations.

 Will JDU be able to handle Muslim discontent?

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party JDU have so far presented themselves as advocates of secular politics. But by supporting this bill of the central government, JDU has put itself in the dock of questions from Muslim voters. Not only this, as soon as this bill was passed by both the houses, 5 Muslim MLAs of JDU resigned from the party. If JDU is unable to handle Muslim discontent, it can affect Seemanchal and urban seats.

BJP can also use this issue for polarization 

BJP and NDA are calling this bill a corrective and transparent step. They say that this will stop corruption in Waqf properties and poor Muslims will get direct benefit. BJP can also use this issue as a polarization of Hindu votes, especially in those areas where there is a balance in Hindu-Muslim population.

Division of opposition votes

While RJD is trying to increase seats with the help of Muslim-Yadav equation, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj Party is preparing to make inroads into Muslim votes. This can lead to division of opposition votes, which can have a direct impact on NDA.

It is worth noting that if the anger of Muslim voters persists and parties like JDU-LJP fail to handle it, then NDA may lose 10-15 seats. On the other hand, polarization of Muslim votes can give RJD 15-20 additional seats.

Prakash Kumar Pandey