As the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly election wraps up, Ajay Rai, president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, says that the people of Bihar are yearning for a shift. He asserts that the Mahagathbandhan, the opposition coalition, is in a strong position and expects to form the next government.
Mood for change sweeping Bihar
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Ajay Rai remarked: “Wherever we went, every person is in the mood for change, and change will happen because the youth are worried about their future, the farmers are worried about price… in the first phase, we are in a very strong position and we are going to form the government.”
Rai invoked key electoral concerns, such as unemployment, inflation and agrarian distress, and positioned them as the driving force behind a shift in public sentiment.
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He therefore painted a picture of a populace dissatisfied with the status quo, ready to hand over power to the Mahagathbandhan.
Earlier in the day, Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, voiced confidence that the people will deliver a verdict in favour of the opposition, dismissing the ruling coalition’s seat-target claims as baseless. He also reportedly critiqued the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for slogans and seat projections rather than substance.
Coupled with Rai’s comments, the Congress and its partners are clearly signalling that the battle in Bihar is far from over, and that momentum may be shifting. With the second phase of polling still ahead, Bihar’s electorate appears to be wrestling with both development and identity issues. The Congress camp believes that the tide is turning. Whether that belief translates into seats will become clear soon.
