Patna: With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching, the Congress party is concentrating on the Seemanchal region, where it had a strong showing in 2020. Key constituencies such as Kishanganj, Bahadurganj, Forbesganj, Purnia Sadar, Kasba, Araria, Kadwa, Barari, Manihari, and Koira are central to the party’s electoral strategy. According to party insiders, Congress’s strong grassroots presence and the region’s social demographics—significant populations of Muslims, Dalits, and backward classes—work in its favor. “Historically, most of Seemanchal has been a stronghold for Congress,” stated Asitnath Tiwari, the party’s state spokesperson.
“In preparation for this election, we have focused on revitalizing our organization, especially at the block level, and our initiatives on local issues are gaining support.” In the 2020 elections, Congress secured nearly half of these ten seats, winning in constituencies such as Kishanganj, Kasba, Araria, Kadwa, and Manihari. For this election, the party has chosen to introduce new candidates in multiple constituencies, believing that individuals with robust local connections will resonate more effectively with voters. Significant changes include Mohammad Kamrul Hoda replacing Izharul Hussain in Kishanganj, Irfan Alam taking over Kasba from Afaq Alam, Manoj Vishwas succeeding Zakir Hussain in Forbesganj, and Prof. Mashkar Alam and Jitendra Yadav contesting Purnia seats instead of Tausif Alam and Indu Sinha, respectively.
Political analysts note that Seemanchal’s electoral landscape is influenced by a mix of religious and developmental concerns. While Muslim voters represent a crucial demographic, issues such as employment, education, infrastructure, flood management, and the development of border districts have become focal points of political discussion. Congress has highlighted these developmental issues in its campaign, alongside efforts to tackle social and economic disparities. Nonetheless, the party faces considerable challenges. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which impacted Congress’s vote share in various Seemanchal constituencies in 2020, remains a strong contender. Despite these hurdles, Congress is hopeful of enhancing its performance from the last election.
As the vote counting is scheduled for November 14, Seemanchal again stands as a critical battleground for Congress in Bihar. The effectiveness of the party’s strategy and the selection of new candidates in translating into electoral victories remains uncertain.