'Birth-based ruling class': Dynasts lead candidate lists in Bihar elections; old families still call the shots

NEW DELHI: Bihar has long been a paradox in Indian politics, a land that has nurtured some of the country’s most powerful democratic movements, yet one where political inheritance continues to define power. The state’s political imagination remains alive and restless, but its electoral field is still crowded with familiar surnames and inherited legacies.

In a region where political awareness runs deep despite limited economic and educational progress, dynastic influence remains an unbroken thread. As Bihar heads into assembly elections, the hold of family-based politics spans parties and ideologies alike — from the RJD to the BJP — reflecting how lineage continues to shape leadership in one of India’s most politically conscious states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said during a 2024 parliamentary debate that “Parties being run by families are a threat to democracy.” However, Bihar’s politics continues to be marked by the presence of such leaders. Many candidates from known political families are contesting on tickets of all major parties.

The results on November 6 and 11 will determine whether this pattern continues or voters, dealing with issues like poverty, unemployment, and migration, choose differently. No party has completely avoided fielding dynastic candidates.



'A birth-based ruling class’

A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) notes that regional parties like the RJD and JD(U) in Bihar show between 30% and 40% dynastic representation. The report states, “Dynastic politics divides society by creating a birth-based ruling class.” It further adds, “The prevalence of dynastic politics is also attributed to India’s strong family tradition that justifies dynasts in the eyes of voters.”

As in many parts of India, political power in Bihar often moves from one generation to another, and the current assembly elections reflect the same pattern.

In the 243-member assembly polls, many candidates are sons, daughters, spouses, or close relatives of established politicians. This trend is visible across all major parties.

Leading the list are Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, sons of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi, contesting from Raghopur, is the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face.

The BJP, which often criticises dynastic politics, also has candidates from political families. Deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary, son of former minister Shakuni Choudhary, is contesting from Tarapur.

Prominent dynasts in the fray

Among the notable candidates are RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur, BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary from Tarapur, and RJD’s Osama Shahab, son of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, from Raghunathpur.

Tejashwi’s elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, expelled from both the RJD and his family, is contesting as an Independent from Mahua in Vaishali.

Other candidates include Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s Snehlata (wife of party chief Upendra Kushwaha) from Sasaram; BJP’s Nitish Mishra (son of former CM Jagannath Mishra) from Jhanjharpur; HAM’s Deepa Manjhi (daughter-in-law of Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi) from Imamganj; Jan Suraaj’s Jagriti Thakur (granddaughter of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur) from Morwa; and Chanakya Prasad Ranjan (son of JD(U) MP Girdhari Prasad Yadav), contesting as RJD candidate from Belhar.

Also in the fray are JD(U)’s Komal Singh (daughter of LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Veena Devi) from Gaighat, JD(U)’s Chetan Anand (son of MP Lovely Anand) from Nabinagar, BJP’s Nitin Nabin (son of late leader Nabin Kishore Sinha) from Bankipore, BJP’s Sanjeev Churasia (son of Ganga Prasad Chaurasia) from Digha, and RJD’s Rahul Tiwary (son of Shivanand Tiwary) from Shahpur.

Others contesting include Rakesh Ojha (son of the late BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha) from Shahpur, Veena Devi (wife of Surajbhan Singh, who recently joined RJD) from Mokama, and Shivani Shukla (daughter of RJD leader Munna Shukla) from Lalganj.