Nalanda district is once again politically hot in Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. JDU and NDA dominated the last election, but this time the grand alliance is preparing to dent in Nitish Kumar’s stronghold.
Nalanda district is once again politically hot as soon as Bihar assembly elections approached 2025 close. In the 2020 assembly elections, six of the total seven seats in the district were occupied by NDA, while only Islampur seat was won by RJD. Now in the 2025 election, the Grand Alliance is working on the strategy of making a dent in this strong fort of JDU, while the NDA is throwing full strength to maintain its hold.
Political picture of Nalanda
Nalanda district has a total of seven assembly seats including Asthan, Biharsharif, Rajgir (Scheduled Castes), Islampur, Hilsa, Nalanda and Harnaut. In 2020, JDU won five seats, while BJP won only Islampur. JDU got special benefits here due to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar being home district. Personal grip of leaders like Shravan Kumar, revival of Nalanda University, improvement in tourism and basic facilities have strengthened the status of NDA.
NDA strength
The strength of the NDA includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s influence in the Kurmi community, benefits of Mahadalit welfare schemes, influence of women empowerment programs, and contribution of infrastructure development schemes. The BJP’s activism in Biharsharif, tourism boost in Rajgir, better road connectivity, electricity and water have also strengthened the NDA’s hold.
Grand Alliance strategy and challenge
However, RJD’s victory in Islampur seat showed that the possibilities of grand alliance in Nalanda are not less. Under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav, the grand alliance is trying to make inroads among Yadavs, Muslim and Mahadalit voters. Political pressure is being made on the NDA on unemployment, migration, agrarian crisis and youth issues. The Congress is also getting active and is trying to gather support through its political visits.
Local issues
In Nalanda, issues related to education, health, employment, agrarian crisis and infrastructure will play an important role in elections. All these issues can become the center of electoral debate – non -availability of expected benefits to local youth from Nalanda University, lack of rural connectivity and migration of youth.
Complexity of ethnic equation
Ethnic equations are very impressive in Nalanda’s politics. Nitish Kumar has a strong hold in the Kurmi vote bank, while Yadav and Muslim voters may mobilize in favor of the grand alliance. The votes scattered in the Mahadalit community can change the equation. At the same time, BJP’s acceptance is increasing among the upper castes. The impact of JDU schemes in women can also be decisive.