The Mahua constituency in Bihar's Vaishali district has become the epicenter of political drama as counting begins for the 2025 Assembly elections. This high-stakes battle features a dramatic comeback story, family politics, and a triangular contest that could reshape Bihar's political landscape.
The Key Contenders and Their Stories
At the heart of Mahua's electoral drama is Tej Pratap Yadav, the estranged son of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav. Returning to the seat that launched his political career a decade ago, Tej Pratap is fighting as an independent force after his expulsion from the RJD. His journey back to Mahua has been marked by symbolic gestures of independence, most notably when he filed his nomination on October 16, 2025 holding a photo of his late grandmother Marachhiya Devi, conspicuously without any family members by his side.
Challenging him is the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) official candidate, Mukesh Kumar Raushan. A 37-year-old dental surgeon-turned-politician, Raushan represents the party's shift toward younger, professional leadership under Tejashwi Yadav's guidance. According to election affidavits, Raushan has declared assets worth approximately Rs 8 crore, making him one of the wealthier candidates in the fray.
Why Mahua Matters Beyond One Seat
This contest transcends the boundaries of a single assembly seat. For the RJD, retaining Mahua is crucial to demonstrating party unity and the effectiveness of Tejashwi Yadav's leadership. The presence of Tej Pratap in the race threatens to split the traditional Yadav vote base, potentially weakening the party's position in a constituency it considers its stronghold.
Complicating matters further is the presence of Lok Janshakti Party's (LJP) Sanjay Singh, who adds a third dimension to what has become a genuinely triangular contest. This three-way fight tests not only caste equations but also the evolving nature of Bihar politics, where family legacies are increasingly challenged by individual ambitions and changing voter preferences.
The Larger Political Implications
The outcome in Mahua will send ripples across Bihar's political spectrum. A victory for Tej Pratap would validate his decision to break away from the RJD and establish his Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) as a credible political force. It would also represent a significant personal triumph in his struggle for political relevance after being expelled from the RJD in May 2025 for what the party described as irresponsible behaviour.
Conversely, a win for Mukesh Raushan would reinforce Tejashwi Yadav's authority within the RJD and validate his strategy of promoting new faces over family dynasty. The results will ultimately reveal whether voters prioritize family connections, professional credentials, or party loyalty in this rapidly changing political environment.
As counting progresses, all eyes remain fixed on Mahua, where every vote count could redefine not just one constituency's representation but the future trajectory of Bihar's most prominent political family and the parties they represent.
