- By Raju Kumar
- Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: The first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections has concluded, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is enthusiastic over the record increase in the voter turnout. BJP national president and Union Health Minister, JP Nadda, has claimed that the NDA would receive a big victory again, attributing it to development as well as the fear of "jungle raj" (lawlessness).
Here are the key excerpts from an exclusive interview with Nadda by Dainik Jagran's Political Editor Ashutosh Jha and Assistant Editor Nilu Ranjan:
This is the second Bihar Assembly election during your tenure as the BJP president. What differences do you see between 2020 and 2025?
"In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elecctions, the atmosphere was in our favour, and this time it seems even more so. But the other aspect is that 2020 was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our leaders were also affected by the Coronavirus. There was fear of Coronavirus, and it had a significant impact on voter turnout. This time, people have, in a way, made up their minds that they want an NDA government. The dimensions of development, stability, and freedom from "jungle raj" are visible. The work that started then has been completed. Along with this, there is an aspiration in people's minds to see a developed Bihar," Nadda replied.
Why is there this contradiction that you talk about winning the election through development, and then also show the fear of "jungle raj"?
He said there is no contradiction at all. In fact, the biggest enemy of development is "jungle raj", the BJP chief asserted, adding that is why it is necessary to highlight "jungle raj" and inform the public about it. "The biggest obstacle in the path of development is "jungle raj". It will always be necessary to talk about "jungle raj" for a developed Bihar, he added.
But how correct is it to call "jungle raj" hereditary and link the father's tenure to the son's?
Nadda explained it's not because of dynastic politics; "jungle raj" is in the DNA of the RJD and they have all grown up in that way. ""Jungle raj" is inherent in their character and culture. Did Tejashwi ever apologise to the people of Bihar for the "jungle raj" during Lalu's time? Did he ever say that the government made a mistake in the Shilpi Gautam case? Did he ever say that a great injustice was done to BB Vishwas? A child was just made to say that if Tejashwi comes to power, we will roam around with guns, and everyone on the stage is laughing. They have no chance of coming to power, yet they are hopeful of brandishing weapons, firing guns. Songs glorifing crimes play at their rallies. They don't even have control over their supporters, which is why they can't escape this jungle raj," the BJP leader stated.
When kidnappings happened, the ransom money was decided at the ministers' bungalows, and the chief minister was also involved. If a car was stolen, it was found at the chief minister's residence," he further elaborated.
Prashant Kishor is accusing the BJP of horse-trading to dent the Jan Suraaj Party's electoral prospects. How much damage can he really make?
Some people have a huge misunderstanding, the senior BJP leader said, adding that contesting an election is one thing, and fighting an election is another. "A commentator cannot become a player on the field. Today, he has become a non-starter. That's why people are leaving him. What's the point of sitting in a car that's already got a puncture?," he asked.
So, he (Kishor) won't even open his account (win any seat)?
He won't even get as many votes as he has followers on social media, the Union Minister asserted.
Before the first phase of voting in Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again made a big accusation of 'vote chori' (Vote theft). Why is Gandhi doing this, and how long will this continue?
Nadda said Gandhi has clearly understood that he cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is frustration and despair. While opposing PM Modi, he has started opposing the interests of the country. His big design is to defame the country. Questions were raised on surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor. There has always been an attempt to demoralise the Indian Army. When he went abroad, he questioned India's democracy from there. He questioned the institutions. He even asked for help for the restoration of democracy and in this process, he attacked constitutional institutions," he added.
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Hitting out at Gandhi, he said, 'Shehzada' (Prince) engages in the kind of politics we used to do in college. "He hasn't been able to move beyond student politics. He raised the issue of vote rigging three or four times, and the figures were different each time. Just think how serious he is? Tejashwi Yadav has a voter ID in two places, and so does Prashant Kishor. Congress leader Pawan Khera has two voter ID cards. What is Gandhi trying to say, that all these people vote twice in the elections? They made all these allegations, but didn't file a single affidavit or submit a memorandum to the Election Commission of India. You just hit and run. Their objective is to undermine the dignity of constitutional institutions," he alleged.
This time, they have directly stated that the Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana was not formed by the votes of the majority of the people, but Saini or the BJP are not doing anything about it?
Nadda stated that his party is currently busy with the Bihar elections, and it will address the issue post-elections. "Their objective is to raise a question mark against the elected government. This is an act of treason. Secondly, a child who is not good at studies starts abusing the teacher from the beginning," he reasoned.
Do you agree that the BJP has not been able to put forward a universally acceptable face in Bihar?
"The BJP is a cadre-based party. According to the plan, sometimes we present a face and sometimes we don't. We didn't present a leader in the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh elections," he explained.
But you had a face there?
We have many faces here (in Bihar) too, he asserted, adding that the day we announce it (name of CM face), he gets promoted from the sixth row to the first row.
How morally correct is it to announce giving Rs 10,000 each to women just before the declaration of the Bihar elections dates?
"First of all, it wasn't a freebie. What the Congress did in Karnataka and Himachal was a freebie. But Nitish Kumar's scheme is for employment and empowerment. Among those who received Rs 10,000, some bought an oven, a sewing machine, and some bought a goat. It is a step to empower. Later, they will be given two lakh rupees for self-employment. This will change their livelihoods. The Kisan Samman Nidhi was increased by Rs 3,000, so that farmers can meet their small farming needs and increase production," the Union Minister explained.
Which party is going to be the largest in the Bihar Assembly after the elections?
The BJP and JD-U will definitely form the government together, and both will have an equal number of seats, he said.
Both parties are contesting on an equal number of seats for the first time, but the BJP's strike rate has always been better. What would you say?
He said this time, the JD-U's strike rate will also be good.
In Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is vehemently opposing the SIR. Meanwhile, BJP workers allege that they don't get protection. How will you deal with it?
"Protection can only be provided up to a certain level. Law and order is with the state government. We know the kind of difficulties they (BJP workers) face. Our leaders are working with great courage. We are also fighting their cases and ensuring justice. But it's not possible for us to reach everywhere. If stones are thrown at me outside the party office, I can understand what happens to ordinary workers. But we are providing as much help as we can within the framework of the constitution. We have fought such a battle in Kerala and are ready for Bengal as well," he assured.
There is also concern among Hindus who have come from Bangladesh regarding the SIR. What if their names are also removed from the voter list?
"It is very clear that all persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians will get a place in India. This is their place. It is clear in the CAA. We will work within its framework. Those who do not legally fall within its purview will have their names removed," he clarified.
Elections for state presidents (in BJP) and organisational positions have not been held in several states, including Uttar Pradesh. What is the reason?
Nadda said there was no specific reason, and this work will be done after the Bihar elections.
The BJP has long been in a dilemma regarding leadership in Bihar. This was evident again this time with regard to declaring Nitish Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate. Why is there this dilemma?
There is no dilemma, he said. "We are contesting the elections under Nitish's leadership and will move forward under his leadership. I can assure you, we are going to have a landslide victory this time. The NDA government will be formed with the biggest mandate ever," the BJP president asserted.