The political landscape of Manihari constituency in Bihar witnessed significant activity during the 2025 assembly elections, with voters casting their ballots on November 11, 2025, as part of the larger Bihar legislative assembly polls.
Key Candidates in the Fray
Several prominent candidates contested for the Manihari assembly seat, representing major political parties and alliances. Shambhu Kumar Suman represented the JD(U), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Janata Dal (United) candidate faced competition from Bablu Soren of the relatively new Jan Suraaj Party.
The Indian National Congress fielded Manohar Prasad Singh, who carried the legacy of previous victories in this constituency. Other notable candidates included Nalinee Mandal from the Aam Aadmi Party, Ram Ratan Prasad representing the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, Saif Ali Khan from the Nationalist Congress Party, and Upendra Mandal of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Historical Context and Previous Performance
Looking back at the electoral history of Manihari provides crucial context for understanding the 2025 contest. In the previous assembly elections, Congress candidate Manohar Prasad Singh emerged victorious with a commanding margin of 21,209 votes.
The JD(U)'s Shambhu Kumar Suman, who also contested in the 2025 elections, had secured the runner-up position in the last polls with 61,823 votes. This historical performance set the stage for an interesting rematch between these two political heavyweights.
Bihar's Electoral Landscape and Voting Patterns
The 2025 Bihar assembly elections saw voters across the state's 243 constituencies participate in a two-phase polling process conducted on November 6 and November 11, 2025. The electoral battle primarily featured two major alliances: the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and the NDA coalition comprising JD(U), BJP, and other partners.
Bihar recorded an overall voter turnout of 57.3% in the 2025 elections, showing a slight increase compared to the 2020 assembly polls. This marginal rise in participation indicated continued voter engagement despite various challenges.
The counting of votes and declaration of results for Manihari and other constituencies will determine the political direction of Bihar for the next five years, with both regional and national parties vying for dominance in this crucial eastern state.
