Patna, Bihar — The debate over Muslim representation in Bihar politics has reignited following the Grand Alliance’s announcement of its top leadership choices for the upcoming 2025 Assembly elections.
During a joint press conference in Patna on Thursday, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Mahagathbandhan’s (Grand Alliance) chief ministerial candidate, with Mukesh Sahni nominated as one of the deputy chief ministers. Gehlot added that more deputy CMs from diverse communities would be appointed if the coalition came to power, signaling an inclusive approach.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the alliance, accusing it of ignoring the Muslim community despite its longstanding electoral support.
“The Mahagathbandhan does not value minorities; it only uses Muslims as a vote bank and ignores them during ticket distribution,” said senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain while speaking to The Economic Times. “The community feels betrayed. I urge minorities to support the NDA for real development.”
The debate further intensified when Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan weighed in on Saturday. Taking to social media platform X, Paswan recalled past political decisions regarding Muslim leadership.
“In 2005, my late father, Ram Vilas Paswan ji, sacrificed his own political ambitions to support a Muslim chief ministerial candidate, yet that move wasn’t reciprocated. Even today, in 2025, RJD isn’t ready for a Muslim CM or deputy CM. Respect and representation won’t come if the community continues to remain a captive vote bank,” Paswan posted.
Responding to the criticism, Congress Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru clarified that the Grand Alliance remains committed to inclusive governance.
“If elected, the Mahagathbandhan will have more than one deputy CM. One will be from Congress, and the alliance will ensure fair representation across all communities — including Muslims,” Allavaru told The Economic Times.
Muslims constitute roughly 18% of Bihar’s population, making them a decisive voting bloc. With the presence of parties like AIMIM, both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan are seeking to consolidate minority support without alienating other communities.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also entered the discussion, emphasizing his government’s record on minority welfare. In a detailed post on X, he accused rival parties of exploiting Muslim voters without giving them genuine representation.
“Some parties use various tactics to attract Muslim votes but fail to provide real participation. In our government, the community has received due rights and fair representation, unlike previous regimes that only sought votes without sharing power,” Kumar wrote.
As Bihar’s political climate heats up ahead of the elections, the issue of Muslim representation is emerging as a critical factor that could shape alliances, voter sentiment, and the overall electoral outcome in the state.
