Patna: A striking 73% of candidates contesting the first phase of Bihar’s 2025 assembly elections are millionaires, highlighting the growing influence of wealth in the state’s politics. According to affidavits filed with the Election Commission, both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Grand Alliance fielded a majority of candidates with assets running into crores.
Of the 121 assembly seats in the first phase, 92 NDA and 86 Grand Alliance candidates declared assets worth millions of rupees. Among them, 64 candidates reported assets exceeding Rs 5 crore, while 29 candidates disclosed holdings above Rs 10 crore. The wealthiest candidates are predominantly NDA leaders with business backgrounds, owning extensive land, property, vehicles, and cash reserves.
In stark contrast, candidates from modest backgrounds face significant hurdles. CPI(ML) candidate Vrindavan RC declared total assets of just Rs 37,000, while an RJD candidate reported assets of only Rs 55,000. Experts say these disparities underscore the increasing barriers for ordinary citizens seeking to enter Bihar’s political arena.
Affidavits also reveal the criminal backgrounds of several candidates, yet major political parties continue to grant them tickets. Analysts warn that the intertwining of wealth, influence, and political power is further consolidating the hold of elite classes in Bihar, making it progressively difficult for less affluent aspirants to compete.
