As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections slated for October or November 2025, the political landscape is heating up with a mix of welfare announcements, legal battles over voter rights, and opposition-led campaigns. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, addressing the state on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day on August 15, hoisted the national flag at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan and reiterated his government’s commitment to development, focusing on job creation and youth empowerment.
In his speech, Kumar highlighted the progress made since 2005, emphasizing inclusive growth across all communities and announcing plans to provide jobs and employment opportunities to one crore youth over the next five years. This promise builds on earlier commitments under the ‘Saat Nischay-2’ program, where the government had targeted 10 lakh jobs and 10 lakh employment avenues, a goal Kumar claimed has been surpassed and will continue to expand. Additionally, to ease the burden on aspiring candidates, the chief minister declared a uniform fee structure for preliminary competitive exams conducted by state commissions, setting the fee at just 100 rupees for initial tests, while waiving it entirely for those advancing to the mains. This move is expected to benefit lakhs of young aspirants by making government job opportunities more accessible and affordable.
Kumar’s announcements come at a critical juncture as Bihar faces scrutiny over its electoral processes ahead of the polls. The state has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to clean up the rolls. Critics, including opposition parties, have alleged that the exercise has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, leading to the deletion of millions of legitimate voters.
The Supreme Court intervened decisively on August 14, directing the ECI to publish a searchable list of approximately 65 lakh omitted voters, along with reasons for their exclusion, on district electoral office websites by August 19. The court emphasized transparency, ordering that the data be displayed at block-level offices and allowing Aadhaar cards as valid proof for re-inclusion, amid concerns of a “trust deficit” between the ECI and the public. This order followed intense hearings where petitioners highlighted anomalies, such as living individuals being marked as deceased or migrated. The ECI has defended the SIR as a necessary step to remove duplicates and ineligible entries, noting that over 52 lakh names were weeded out earlier in the year due to deaths or migrations. However, allegations persist that the process could disenfranchise vulnerable groups, turning it into a flashpoint for the upcoming elections.
Political activist and petitioner Yogendra Yadav has been at the forefront of challenging the SIR in the Supreme Court, praising the court’s directive as a victory for democratic accountability. Yadav, who dramatically presented two voters declared “dead” by the ECI during hearings, only for them to appear alive in court, stated that the ruling validates the evidence submitted by petitioners, forcing the ECI to reinstate 65 lakh names and explain each deletion. He described the outcome as a result of persistent efforts, noting that the ECI is now “trapped” and must comply swiftly to restore faith in the electoral system. Yadav’s comments underscore broader concerns raised by opposition leaders, who argue that the voter list revisions are being manipulated to influence the polls, especially in a state where caste and community dynamics play a pivotal role.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to launch a high-profile ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ on August 17, starting from Sasaram in Rohtas district and culminating in a grand rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. The 16-day march, covering over 1,300 kilometers across multiple districts including Gaya, Munger, Katihar, Purnia, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Bettiah, and Chhapra, aims to rally support against what Gandhi calls “vote chori” or theft of voting rights. Joined by INDIA bloc allies, the yatra will highlight the SIR controversy and demand safeguards for constitutional rights, echoing Gandhi’s previous Bharat Jodo Yatra. Gandhi has appealed to Bihar’s youth to participate, framing the initiative as a fight to protect democracy amid allegations of targeted exclusions. The opposition views this as a strategic move to consolidate anti-incumbent sentiment, particularly among those affected by the voter list issues.
Beyond jobs and voter rights, Kumar’s Independence Day address touched on other welfare measures, including free land for industrial setups, special bus services for migrants during festivals, enhanced reservations for women in jobs, boasting the highest female representation in Bihar Police, and expansions in social schemes like increased pensions and free electricity up to 125 units. He also approved 430 new development projects following a recent progress review and plans for marriage halls in every panchayat and extended ‘Didi Ki Rasoi’ services to block levels. Praising central government support, Kumar positioned these initiatives as part of a broader agenda for equitable growth. However, with the Supreme Court’s directive adding pressure on the ECI and Gandhi’s yatra poised to amplify dissent, the run-up to Bihar’s 2025 elections promises intense politicking, where voter inclusion and economic promises could sway the outcome in this crucial battleground state.
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