As Bihar gears up for the assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, 2025, all eyes are on Darbhanga, a key political battleground in the Mithila region. In the 2020 assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a near-sweep in the district, winning nine out of ten seats. Five years on, the ruling coalition is looking to replicate this performance, leaning on a combination of development projects, welfare schemes, and electoral promises to maintain its foothold.

NDA’s Development-Centric Campaign

The NDA’s campaign in Darbhanga emphasizes infrastructure projects and welfare measures aimed at consolidating voter support. Key initiatives highlighted by the ruling alliance include:

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Darbhanga: A project aimed at enhancing healthcare access and services for the region.
• Darbhanga Airport Terminal Upgrade: The newly developed terminal is positioned as a milestone in improving connectivity and fostering economic growth.
• Flood Management Projects: Flood-prone areas of Bihar, including Darbhanga, have historically suffered recurring damages. NDA’s projects promise long-term mitigation strategies to protect life and property.
• Proposed Metro and Urban Development Initiatives: To modernize transport infrastructure in Darbhanga and surrounding areas.
• Welfare Announcements for Women and Farmers: Pre-election measures include direct financial benefits such as ₹1,100 pensions, ₹10,000 schemes for women, and a proposed ₹3,000 increase under the Kisan Samman Yojana, aimed at boosting rural incomes.

Uma Shankar Thakur, a resident of Benipur and a professional working remotely for a Pune-based IT firm, emphasized the appeal of these welfare schemes. He noted that while the opposition’s Mai Bahin Yojana resonates in certain pockets, the NDA’s broad-based benefits have a wider influence across constituencies. “Programs like the ration distribution, pension schemes, and women-focused financial support will play a significant role in shaping voter sentiment,” he said.

Voter Concerns: Employment and Governance

Despite the NDA’s development narrative, voters have expressed frustration over the lack of employment opportunities, particularly in the technology and service sectors. Bipin Kumar Jha, a student studying in Bhopal, highlighted that Bihar’s institutions have deteriorated over the years, resulting in graduates struggling to find meaningful employment. “Those with skills can work anywhere, but Bihar’s political leadership has historically lacked the vision to cultivate a knowledge-based job market,” he remarked. He added that electoral outcomes are often driven more by political calculations than governance achievements, giving the NDA an edge due to its established ground network.

Multi-Party Contest Intensifies

While the NDA and the RJD-led opposition dominate the narrative, emerging players such as the Jan Suraj Party (JSP)and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), along with key rebel candidates, are expected to influence outcomes. Former Vice Chancellor of LN Mithila University, SM Jha, emphasized the impact of drifting votes in assembly elections, noting, “Even minor players can force major parties to recalibrate their strategies. Every vote counts and could alter results in close contests.”

Key Constituency Battles

1. Alinagar:
   • The BJP has fielded folk singer Maithili Thakur, a decision that initially faced internal resistance but later received party backing.
   • RJD has retained Binod Mishra as its candidate, framing the contest as insider vs. outsider.
   • JSP’s Biplav Choudhary has positioned the seat as an all-Brahmin contest, diverging from historical dynamics where the constituency was influenced heavily by Muslim, Yadav, and Paswan voters.
2. Jale:
   • RJD’s Rishi Mishra secured a last-minute Congress ticket to face BJP minister Jivesh Kumar.
   • Maskoor Ahmad Osmani, a former Congress candidate defeated in 2020, is running as an independentafter being expelled from the party.
   • AIMIM’s Faisal Rehman claims to be in direct competition with BJP, further splitting votes.

NDA vs Opposition Dynamics

The NDA continues to leverage its incumbency, development projects, and welfare measures to appeal to voters, while the RJD and Congress-led Mahagathbandhan attempt to consolidate anti-incumbency sentiment. Analysts note that the contest in Darbhanga is not just about party loyalty but also caste alignments, candidate profiles, and local development narratives.

According to political observers, the NDA’s ability to maintain its stronghold in Darbhanga will hinge on several factors:

• Effective implementation and visibility of infrastructure projects and welfare schemes.
• Management of multi-party vote splits, particularly from JSP, AIMIM, and independent candidates.
• Resonance of local issues, including employment, flood management, and healthcare access, among voters.

Voter Sentiment

On the ground, voters appear influenced by tangible benefits, such as direct financial transfers and infrastructure upgrades, rather than ideological narratives. Thakur and Jha both highlighted a disconnect between political promises and long-term governance vision, suggesting that electoral choices are often guided by immediate relief schemes rather than structural reforms.

As the Bihar assembly elections approach, Darbhanga remains a closely watched district. With 10 seats at stake, the NDA is seeking to recreate its near-clean sweep of 2020, while the opposition strives to exploit voter dissatisfaction and emerging local players to chip away at the ruling coalition’s dominance.

The results, set to be declared on November 14, 2025, will provide a clear indication of whether the NDA’s combination of development projects, welfare measures, and incumbency advantages is sufficient to secure another decisive mandate in Darbhanga, or if the opposition can alter the political equation in the district.

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