Jhajha Assembly Constituency Awaits Verdict in High-Stakes Bihar Battle
The electoral fate of Jhajha assembly constituency in Bihar's Jamui district hangs in the balance as counting of votes progresses following the November 11, 2025 polling date. This high-profile seat witnessed a keen contest between Damodar Rawat of the JD(U) and Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav of the RJD, with both major alliances - the NDA and Mahagathbandhan - hoping to secure this crucial seat.
Key Candidates and Political Dynamics
The Jhajha constituency saw a multi-cornered contest with several prominent candidates in the fray. The main contenders included Damodar Rawat from JD(U), who is the sitting MLA, Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav representing RJD, and Nilendu Dutta Mishara from the Jan Suraaj Party. Other significant candidates were Amarjeet Kumar Singh (National Peoples Party), Kedar Kumar Mandal (Apni Janta Party), and several independents including Mohammad Irfan and Ravindra Yadav.
The electoral battle in Jhajha reflects the larger political contest in Bihar, where the regional alliances led by RJD's Mahagathbandhan and the NDA comprising JD(U), BJP and others are locked in a tight race for dominance across the state's 243 assembly seats.
Historical Context and Previous Performance
In the 2020 assembly elections, JD(U)'s Damodar Rawat emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 1,679 votes, defeating RJD's Rajendra Prasad who secured 75,293 votes. Rawat has been a consistent performer in this constituency, having won previously in 2010 as well, though he faced defeat in 2015 when Rabindra Yadav of RJD claimed the seat.
The constituency voted on November 11, 2025, during the second phase of Bihar elections, with the first phase having concluded on November 6, 2025. The state witnessed a voter turnout of 57.3% this year, showing a slight improvement compared to the 2020 assembly elections.
Candidate Profiles and Electoral Significance
The candidates presented diverse backgrounds and substantial financial declarations. Nilendu Dutta Mishara of Jan Suraaj Party declared assets worth over ₹12 crore, making him one of the wealthiest candidates. Sitting MLA Damodar Rawat declared assets exceeding ₹6 crore, while RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav, at 71 years of age, brought considerable political experience to the contest.
Jhajha constituency forms part of the larger electoral landscape where both ruling and opposition alliances expressed confidence about securing a clear victory before the counting began. The results from this constituency will be crucial in determining the political direction of Jamui district and contributing to the overall assembly composition.
As the counting progresses, political observers are closely watching whether Damodar Rawat can maintain his winning streak or if the opposition alliance can reclaim this significant seat. The outcome will also test the effectiveness of the respective alliance strategies and their ground-level organization in this region of Bihar.
