As the Bihar Assembly Elections of 2025 draw closer, political dynamics are intensifying, and one notable development is Tej Pratap Yadav's declaration to contest from the Mahua constituency as an independent candidate. Tej Pratap Yadav, the estranged son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, has announced his decision to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections from Mahua, regardless of whether the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) grants him a ticket. This move sets the stage for a potentially intriguing contest in the Mahua constituency and adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate political landscape of Bihar.
Tej Pratap Yadav's association with Mahua is not new. He won the 2015 state elections from the same constituency and served as a minister in Nitish Kumar's cabinet until 2017. He has stated that he contributed to the construction of a medical college and roads in Mahua during his tenure. Furthermore, he claims his mother, Rabri Devi, used her MLC funds to provide ambulance vans to the constituency. His connection to the constituency seems strong as he stated, "So, I will fight from the place I have worked for". He has also promised to declare Mahua a district and establish a degree college if elected.
The uncertainty surrounding Tej Pratap's RJD ticket is reportedly linked to his public revelation of his relationship with Anushka Yadav in May, which led to his ouster from the party. Despite this, Tej Pratap has asserted that the people of Mahua want him to contest from there. He stated that locals have said they would not vote for anyone else from the RJD. "If the party (RJD) gives me a ticket, I will contest for the RJD. If it doesn't, I will contest as an Independent candidate, but will fight from Mahua only. It is my land of action," he told India Today TV.
In a symbolic move, Tej Pratap and his supporters have been seen carrying a green and white flag with "Team Tej Pratap Yadav" written on it. Tej Pratap described "Team Tej Pratap Yadav" as a platform for people to connect and share their concerns with him. This further indicates his willingness to create an independent political identity.
The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 are expected to be held in October or November. The current assembly's term will end in November 2025, so elections must occur before then. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the exact schedule closer to the polling date. The Bihar Assembly has 243 seats. The main contest is expected to be between the NDA (JDU, BJP, LJP-R) and the Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress, Left).
Tej Pratap's decision to contest as an independent could impact the prospects of other candidates in the Mahua constituency, including the current MLA, Mukesh Roshan, who is reportedly a close aide of Tejashwi Yadav. Some reports suggest Roshan was distressed by the possibility of Tej Pratap contesting from Mahua again.
Several key issues are likely to dominate the Bihar Elections 2025, including unemployment, infrastructure development, law and order, agriculture, migration, and caste and social justice. The election will be a key event in shaping the future of Bihar's politics and governance.
