Can Bihar's smaller parties make a big impact?

As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, the political narrative has traditionally revolved around the big players—Janata Dal United (JDU), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Congress.

These major parties dominate the headlines, airwaves, and social media feeds. But this time, a new layer has added flavor to Bihar’s political mix—a surge of smaller and new political parties that are fast becoming the talk of the town.

This is the beauty of Indian democracy: even if these smaller parties don't always leave a mark on the EVMs, they bring fresh ideas, bold agendas, and represent the undercurrents of public sentiment that often go unheard.

Prashant Kishor’s 'Jan Suraaj Party': A new political journey

In October last year, renowned political strategist Prashant Kishor officially launched his new outfit, the Jan Suraaj Party, announcing that it would contest all seats in the upcoming Bihar elections. Known for masterminding successful campaigns across India, Kishor is now leading from the front.

His political approach focuses on creating a broad social coalition—with special emphasis on youth, Dalits, and Muslims. The party has been attracting impressive crowds, especially among young voters who are eager for change beyond traditional caste and dynasty politics.

‘Indian Inquilab Party’: giving voice to the paan community

Another notable entrant is the Indian Inquilab Party, launched by IP Gupta, President of the All India Paan Mahasangh and leader of the “Hanko Rath Hum Paan Hain” movement. The party made its debut during a massive rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan in April 2025, signaling the political awakening of the Paan (Tanti-Tantwa) community.

Gupta has pledged to contest the Bihar Assembly elections to ensure better representation and assert the cultural identity and rights of his community—one that has often been politically invisible despite its large numbers.

‘Aap Sab Ki Awaaz’: RCP Singh’s political rebellion

Adding further drama to the unfolding political story, RCP Singh, former Union Minister and once a close aide of CM Nitish Kumar, launched his own party ‘Aap Sab Ki Awaaz’ on in October 2024. Disenchanted with the leadership of JDU, Singh declared that his new party would contest the 2025 elections and be a voice for the people who feel ignored by the existing political framework.

With his experience in governance and connections across bureaucratic and political circles, Singh’s new platform aims to capture the discontent brewing within Nitish Kumar’s camp.

Where do these small parties stand?

While the Lok Janshakti Party (Chirag Paswan) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Jitan Ram Manjhi) remain aligned with the NDA, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and with BJP playing the senior partner, the opposition Mahagathbandhan vcontinues to consist of RJD, Congress, Mukesh Sahni’s VIP, and left parties.

But amid this bipolar contest, these new and smaller parties are stirring conversations, holding rallies that draw thousands, and engaging directly with communities that feel politically orphaned.

Whether they secure seats or not, they are undeniably shaping narratives, questioning status quos, and proving that every voice has a place in the world’s largest democracy.