As Bihar heads into the 2025 Assembly elections, economic growth under Nitish Kumar faces scrutiny amid rising unemployment, poverty, and the emergence of Jan Suraaj as a potential game-changer in the state’s political landscape.
New Delhi- Bihar, one of India’s most politically dynamic states, is heading towards a crucial Assembly election in 2025 where the performance of the economy under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has become a key talking point. Since Nitish Kumar took office in 2005, the state’s economy has witnessed remarkable transformation with its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growing nearly six-fold—from ₹71,000 crore to over ₹6 lakh crore. Massive investments in infrastructure, road networks, rural development, and social welfare schemes have been credited with driving this economic rise.
Despite these developments, Bihar continues to face significant challenges. The state remains at the bottom in terms of per capita income, which is still just one-third of the national average. Unemployment is a major concern, with rates soaring to nearly 19% in recent years. Industrial development has lagged behind, and many youth are forced to migrate to other states for better employment opportunities. These economic shortcomings are at the center of political debates as the state heads to the polls.
The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance, led by Nitish Kumar, is banking on its record of consistent economic growth, improved infrastructure, better healthcare, and education reforms. Government schemes such as Jeevika, improved minimum support prices for farmers, and better connectivity in rural areas are being showcased as achievements. The alliance hopes to replicate past electoral successes by highlighting “double-engine” development under the central and state governments.
On the other hand, the INDIA bloc led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties is focusing on issues of unemployment, poverty, inflation, and inequality. Opposition leaders have accused the Nitish government of neglecting job creation and industrial development, despite impressive GDP numbers. They argue that the so-called “Sushasan” (good governance) has failed to transform the lives of common people, especially in rural and backward regions.
Adding a new twist to Bihar’s political landscape is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party, which is steadily gaining ground. Positioning itself as an alternative to both the NDA and RJD, Jan Suraaj is appealing to voters who are disillusioned with traditional caste-based politics and the status quo. The party has focused its campaign on governance reforms, job creation, quality education, and anti-corruption measures. Kishor has promised a new vision for Bihar, one that moves beyond the past two decades of political rivalry.
As Bihar approaches the 2025 Assembly elections, the state stands at a political crossroads. While Nitish Kumar’s long-standing leadership is marked by undeniable economic growth and social development, deep-rooted issues like joblessness and low income remain unresolved. The outcome of this election will depend not only on past performance but also on which political force can inspire confidence among Bihar’s youth, its large migrant population, and rural voters looking for real change.
