The intense political battle in Mahua during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has taken a dramatic turn, with Tej Pratap Yadav—Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son and chief of the Janshakti Janta Dal—struggling to hold his ground. Once considered a strong contender in Mahua, Tej Pratap now finds himself trailing in third position after 20 rounds of vote counting. The seat, which has historically carried political and symbolic weight for the Yadav family, has become a major setback for Tej Pratap as the trends increasingly point toward his defeat at the hands of Sanjay Kumar Singh of the LJP (Ram Vilas).

Throughout the day, the counting trends on PValue showed fluctuating fortunes for Tej Pratap. The early hours of counting had offered him a glimmer of hope when he briefly took the lead. However, the momentum quickly shifted. With every subsequent round, Sanjay Kumar Singh’s vote tally surged sharply, expanding his lead far beyond the comfort zone of his opponents. By the 20th round, Singh had widened the gap to nearly 36,000 votes, leaving Tej Pratap not just behind but firmly stuck in the third position.

A detailed look at the numbers from the 13th round of counting paints a clearer picture of how the contest unfolded. At that point, Sanjay Kumar Singh had already amassed 43,654 votes, putting him far ahead of his nearest rival. Mukesh Kumar Raushan of the RJD followed with 24,480 votes, while Tej Pratap trailed behind with 16,522 votes. Amit Kumar of AIMIM, who initially held the third spot, slipped into fourth as the rounds progressed, gathering 10,563 votes. The numbers reveal that Tej Pratap not only failed to match Singh’s rapid rise but also struggled to maintain a competitive lead against other candidates.

This election had been particularly significant for Tej Pratap Yadav. After a series of controversies and internal conflicts within his own family, he hoped to use the Mahua seat as an opportunity to reclaim political credibility and re-establish his relevance in Bihar’s dynamic political landscape. The months leading up to the election were marked by personal turmoil for him, including his public fallout with his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav. Earlier this year, Tej Pratap was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal after he posted about a 12-year relationship on social media. The revelation went viral, drawing widespread criticism and creating tension within the Yadav family, especially since his divorce proceedings with his estranged wife were still pending in court at the time. Although Tej Pratap deleted the post soon after, the controversy cast a long shadow over his public image and political prospects.

For Tej Pratap, therefore, this election was more than just a routine political contest. It was, in many ways, a test of his resilience and an opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of his supporters, critics, and family members. However, the numbers emerging from Mahua suggest that voters were not persuaded. His inability to gain traction despite years of political exposure and a powerful family legacy indicates a significant shift in the voter sentiment of Mahua, one that he appears unable to counter in the 2025 election cycle.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Kumar Singh’s performance reflects the growing influence of the LJP (Ram Vilas) in this region. The decisive lead he has maintained throughout the counting process underscores his resonance among the electorate. Whether it is due to strong ground-level mobilization, effective communication of development promises, or voter fatigue with existing leadership, Singh’s rising popularity serves as a key takeaway from the Mahua result.

Adding another layer to the political discourse, VIP chief Mukesh Sahani offered his observations on the voting trends in Mahua and across the state. Speaking to PTI, Sahani stated that the NDA’s appeal to voters lay primarily in its financial promises, particularly for economically vulnerable groups. He remarked that people voted for the NDA because of their poverty and hopes for economic upliftment, noting that women, in particular, were influenced by the pledge of receiving financial assistance amounting to ₹1.9 lakh. According to Sahani, these promises were instrumental in shaping voter decisions, even if opposition parties attempted to highlight other issues.

Sahani also emphasized that his party and its allies had tried to make voters aware of alternative perspectives and concerns. However, he acknowledged the democratic process, stating that while they fought for the public, the ultimate choice rested with the people. His comments reflect a sense of acceptance regarding the electoral outcome while also pointing to broader socioeconomic factors that influenced voting behaviour in Mahua.

As the counting moves toward completion, the emerging narrative from Mahua is one of shifting allegiances and political recalibration. For Tej Pratap Yadav, the likely defeat signifies another challenging chapter in his political career. Despite his attempts to reposition himself through a new party and present a renewed image, the electorate appears unconvinced. The race in Mahua, therefore, not only highlights the strength of the LJP (Ram Vilas) and the continued influence of the NDA but also hints at diminishing patience among voters for personal controversies and inconsistent political engagement.

The 2025 Mahua election result stands out not just as a numerical victory or defeat but as a reflection of deeper political currents in Bihar. It illustrates the evolving expectations of voters who prioritize developmental assurances and stability over legacy-driven politics. Whether Tej Pratap will be able to rebuild his political standing after this setback remains to be seen, but the result sends a clear signal: electoral success increasingly demands credibility, consistency, and connection with ground realities.

As the final rounds of counting wrap up, all indications suggest that Sanjay Kumar Singh is on track to secure a decisive victory, marking a significant shift in Mahua’s political identity and setting the stage for new dynamics in the region’s political landscape.