Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is intensely campaigning in his home district of Nalanda ahead of the 2025 elections. Usually a political fortress, Nalanda is now seeing unprecedented focus from Kumar, who is conducting rallies and roadshows across all seven assembly constituencies. This heightened activity at age 74 signals a strategic effort to solidify his legacy amidst shifting political tides.
Data from the Election Commission reveals a notable decline in the victory margins for Nitish Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United) or JD (U), in Nalanda over the past four assembly elections. Average win margins have shrunk from 21.17 percent in 2005 to 9.06 percent in 2020, indicating a gradual erosion of his once-dominant support base. This trend transforms Nalanda from a symbol of his political invincibility into a critical battleground.
Local sentiment in Nalanda appears divided. Some residents feel that while Kumar worked hard in his early tenure, his influence has waned, and elected representatives have become detached. Conversely, many others credit him with bringing stability and development, particularly for women, and view him as an unshakable leader who has significantly benefited the region.
The electoral history of Nalanda clearly illustrates this changing landscape. The JD (U)’s average victory margin, once a substantial 21.17 percent in 2005, decreased to 15.88 percent in 2010, further dropped to 7.64 percent in 2015, and settled around 9 percent in 2020. This slide is also evident in parliamentary elections, where the JD (U)’s victory margin in the Nalanda Lok Sabha seat fell by 10 percentage points between 2019 and 2024.
For the upcoming 2025 assembly polls, the JD (U) will contest six seats in Nalanda, with the BJP contesting one. Notable contests include Asthawan, where JD (U)’s Jitendra Kumar faces RJD’s Ravi Ranjan Kumar. Bihar Sharif sees BJP’s Dr. Sunil Kumar defending his seat against Congress and CPI candidates. Rajgir’s incumbent Kaushal Kishor faces CPI (ML), and the Islampur seat is a key contest for JD (U) against an RJD opponent.
Despite winning five of Nalanda’s seven seats in 2020, the diminishing margins have clearly made Nitish Kumar cautious. His intensive campaigning in his home district suggests an acknowledgment of potential challenges, making Nalanda a crucial barometer of his enduring political appeal.