Patna: The electoral landscape in Bihar has undergone a complete transformation for the 2025 Assembly elections, with the traditional hallmarks of campaigning—crowded grounds, posters, and massive public meetings—now being overshadowed by the relentless activity on mobile screens and social media feeds. Digital platforms are no longer just an auxiliary tool; they have become the crucial determinant in shaping public opinion.
The presence of political leaders on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) is stronger than ever. Election slogans resonate through Reels, and opposition parties are primarily attacked and countered through witty memes. This election is signaling the new era of “digital politics,” where public perception is increasingly determined by likes, comments, and shares rather than physical crowds.
Leaders Go Live
Prominent figures are actively leveraging short-form content to connect directly with constituents. Leaders such as Tej Pratap Yadav, Sanjay Jaiswal, and Samrat Chaudhary are continuously reaching out to the public through live sessions and viral Reels.
All major parties, including the JD (U), RJD, BJP, and Congress, have activated their dedicated social media cells, which operate in full campaign mode. The rapid creation and circulation of memes and video clips based on daily statements and events have become the primary mechanism for gauging and influencing the public mood throughout the day.
Political strategists are unanimous: the effectiveness of “digital management” will directly translate into ground-level impact. While traditional campaigning methods remain, short, satirical memes and concise video clips are now the dominant subject of public discussion, leading political pundits to conclude that social media is actively shaping the psyche of Bihar voters. The 2025 Assembly election is, thus, a battle fought with equal intensity both on the ground and on the screen.
The Multi-Crore Digital Budget
The shift to the digital sphere is clearly visible in campaign spending. Political parties have significantly increased their budgets for social media campaigning, though accurate, officially released spending data for all major parties is still pending from government sources.
According to media reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently leading the spending on digital platforms. However, opposition parties like the RJD, JD (U), and Congress are also reportedly allocating crores of rupees toward social media advertising, professional content creation, graphic design, and Reels production.
The largest current expenditures are focused on paid promotions (advertising), influencer marketing, and content distribution. The Election Commission of India has mandated that every party and candidate must submit a detailed breakdown of all social media campaign expenditures—including advertising, content, and team costs—within 75 days of the election’s conclusion. Estimates suggest that all major parties combined are spending several crores during this period, with exact figures only becoming public after the electoral process is complete.
