Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections in November 2025 are set to be a battleground for established political dynasties and figures with notorious pasts. Approximately 22 influential families are fielding multiple candidates, including sitting legislators, former MLAs, and their relatives, across various constituencies. These families are primarily affiliated with major parties: nine with the RJD, seven with JD(U), four with BJP, and two with LJP(R).
In Mokama, the political legacy of Anant Singh, a convicted former MLA, is reignited. Despite a past conviction for illegal weapons, he has been cleared by the High Court and is now contesting on a JD(U) ticket. His wife, Neelam Devi, had previously won a by-election in his stead. Mokama’s diverse electorate, comprising upper-caste, Kurmi, Yadav, and Dalit voters, has historically supported Singh. This year, he faces Veena Devi, wife of rival Surajbhan Singh, who is contesting on an RJD ticket, setting the stage for a direct family feud.
Aurangabad sees the Anand Mohan family’s continued political presence. Following his release from jail, Anand Mohan facilitated his wife Lovely Anand’s entry into the Lok Sabha. Now, his elder son, Chetan Anand, a former RJD MLA who joined JD(U), is vying for the Rajput-dominated Nabinagar seat.
In Saran’s Ekma, Dhuman Singh (Manoranjan Singh) returns to contest for JD(U), after his wife Sita Devi lost the previous election. Dhuman Singh, a close associate of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has a history of winning from the constituency under various party banners.
The Pandey family maintains its hold in Bhojpur’s Tarari. Sunil Pandey, a former MLA, is now represented by his son Vishal Prashant, who won a recent by-election. Sunil’s brother, Hulas Pandey, is contesting on an LJP(R) ticket.
Warisaliganj in Nawada features a direct clash between the families of Akhilesh Sardar and Ashok Mahato. Akhilesh’s wife, Aruna Devi, a two-time BJP winner, faces Anita Devi, wife of recently released convict Ashok Mahato, who is running on an RJD ticket.
Gopalganj’s Kuchaikot constituency is a stronghold for six-time JD(U) MLA Amarendra ‘Pappu’ Pandey. In Raghunathpur, Osama Shahab, son of the late former MP Shihabuddin, makes his political debut on an RJD ticket, backed by a loyal family legacy.
Bhojpur’s Sandesh seat presents a battle between two former sand mafias: Deepu Ranawat (RJD), son of ex-MLA Arun Yadav, and Radha Charan Sah (JD(U)). The RJD has held this seat for a decade, with Arun’s wife Kiran Devi previously serving as MLA.
Lalganj sees the legacy of jailed Munna Shukla carried by his daughter Shivani Shukla for RJD. In Danapur, Riet Lal Yadav, currently incarcerated, has secured an RJD ticket. Nawada’s Vibha Devi, wife of acquitted Rajballabh Yadav, switches to JD(U) from RJD.
Further electoral contests involve the children and siblings of slain leader Ashok Singh in Gopalganj and Saran. These 22 families highlight the deep-rooted influence of political dynasties and local strongmen in Bihar’s electoral landscape.
