The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, has announced it will contest all 243 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections independently. This decision rules out any alliance with the Congress party or the Mahagathbandhan. The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled for October-November 2025.
AAP's decision to contest independently stems from a past disagreement with Congress during by-elections in Gujarat. According to Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bhardwaj, Congress fielded a candidate against AAP in Gujarat despite an understanding that they would not compete in constituencies where the other party was already strong. This breakdown in allyship has led AAP to avoid any alliances in Bihar and focus on establishing its own brand.
AAP's strategy for the Bihar elections revolves around replicating its success in Delhi by focusing on governance and transparency. The party plans to highlight its achievements in Delhi, such as free electricity, quality education, and healthcare, tailoring these promises to the needs of Bihar's youth and marginalized voters. AAP is running a "Bihar mein bhi Kejriwal" outreach initiative to mobilize party workers and connect with voters, promoting the "Delhi development model". AAP's Bihar in-charge, Rakesh Yadav, has launched a seven-phase yatra across the state to raise awareness about the development in Delhi under the AAP government.
AAP's entry into Bihar's political landscape is expected to disrupt the dominance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). By contesting independently, AAP aims to provide a fresh alternative to voters who are frustrated with unemployment, migration, and corruption. However, some analysts predict that AAP's presence may split the opposition votes, potentially weakening the Mahagathbandhan and influencing the outcome of the elections. AAP believes it can win 5-10 seats, which could be enough to play a significant role in a hung assembly.
The party is also attempting to shift the campaign narrative by focusing on issues such as migration and unemployment, while also challenging the BJP's governance claims with its anti-corruption stance. To connect with voters, AAP has coined the slogan: "Jin logon ne Delhi se Biharion ko bhagaya hai, uss BJP ko Bihar se Bihari log bhagayenge". This slogan aims to resonate with Biharis who feel displaced from Delhi and encourages them to vote the BJP out of power in Bihar.
Despite AAP's ambitions, the party faces challenges in Bihar, including the state's complex caste politics and the party's limited presence in rural areas. Overcoming these obstacles will be crucial for AAP to gain a foothold in Bihar's political arena. AAP's state unit has been instructed to mobilize support from all sections of society, regardless of caste and religion, and booth-level committees will be set up to strengthen the party's organization at the grassroots level.
