{"id":523,"date":"2025-07-31T19:08:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T19:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/31\/bihar-elections-these-5-missing-leaders-are-back-will-they-matter-in-2025-elections-news\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T19:08:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T19:08:14","slug":"bihar-elections-these-5-missing-leaders-are-back-will-they-matter-in-2025-elections-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/31\/bihar-elections-these-5-missing-leaders-are-back-will-they-matter-in-2025-elections-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Bihar Elections: These 5 &#8216;Missing&#8217; Leaders Are Back, Will They Matter In 2025? | Elections News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9475982\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">July 31, 2025, 17:32 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9475982\" class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 asubttl-schema\">Most of these leaders have had long associations with either Lalu Prasad Yadav or Nitish Kumar, and some still wield significant local or caste-based influence<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Several former prominent leaders are eyeing comebacks in Bihar Assembly polls 2025.\" title=\"Several former prominent leaders are eyeing comebacks in Bihar Assembly polls 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Several former prominent leaders are eyeing comebacks in Bihar Assembly polls 2025.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, political observers are watching for possible comebacks by several once-prominent leaders who had slipped into anonymity or political exile over the years. Once influential figures in state politics, these leaders are now being courted by both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, as well as Prashant Kishor\u2019s Jan Suraj Party, as alliances try to shore up caste-based support and grassroots clout.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">Though sidelined for various reasons, these leaders have not been politically irrelevant. Most have had long associations with either Lalu Prasad Yadav or Nitish Kumar, and some still wield significant local or caste-based influence. Here\u2019s a look at five such figures who may attempt a return to relevance in the coming election cycle.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Nagmani Kushwaha<\/h2>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">Once a trusted ally of both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Nagmani retains a notable following among Bihar\u2019s Kushwaha (Koiri) community, which constitutes 4-5% of the state\u2019s population. The former Union minister faded from public view after exiting the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) post-2014. However, he appears to be making a strategic re-entry through his wife Suchitra Sinha and son Sudarshan Singh. His plan for 2025 reportedly hinges on consolidating the Kushwaha vote to enhance his bargaining power in potential alliances. Sources say both the RJD and Jan Suraj are showing interest in him.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Arun Kumar<\/h2>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">Former Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar, a significant Bhumihar leader, remains a wildcard. Though presently aligned with the Lok Janshakti Party, he\u2019s long been searching for a stable political base since his fallout with RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha. Kumar, who was elected to Parliament in 2014, has alternated between supporting Nitish Kumar and making controversial statements, once famously saying he would \u201crub dal on his chest&#8221; in protest. Political watchers won\u2019t be surprised if he takes center stage again in this election.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Dadan Pehelwan<\/h2>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">Known for his muscleman image in the Buxar region, Dadan Pehelwan (also known as Dadan Yadav) has long commanded Yadav and Muslim support. A former independent MLA, he\u2019s been part of both the RJD and JDU, and once contested on a BSP ticket. Post-2015, legal troubles and dwindling political activity pushed him to the margins. But he\u2019s reportedly preparing for a comeback, either independently or through a smaller party. His close connect with the electorate in Buxar and adjoining areas makes him a potential disruptor on a few key seats.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Renu Kushwaha<\/h2>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">A prominent face from the Kushwaha community, Renu Kushwaha has been associated with both the JDU and RJD in the past. After being denied a Lok Sabha ticket by LJP from Khagaria in 2024, she faded from the spotlight. However, her recent entry into the RJD in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav has signaled her intent to return. As a Kushwaha woman leader, she brings both caste and gender appeal to the table. Her current political strategy appears focused on social justice and women\u2019s empowerment, issues that could strike a chord with rural and semi-urban voters.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Jayaprakash Narayan Yadav<\/h2>\n<p id=\"11\" class=\"story_para_11\">A longtime associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Jayaprakash Narayan Yadav has largely withdrawn from public life in recent years, especially after his daughter\u2019s defeat in the last election. However, within the RJD, he\u2019s still seen as someone with deep connections in the Yadav community, a key voting bloc in Bihar. While his influence has waned since 2010, a renewed role in party politics could help the RJD tap into legacy support and consolidate its base. Party insiders believe his reactivation in 2025 could be a tactical asset for Tejashwi Yadav.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 coral-count-custom\">view comments<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 atbtlink Location\"><span>Location :<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Bihar, India, India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/ul>\n<div class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/elections\/\">elections<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> Bihar Elections: These 5 &#8216;Missing&#8217; Leaders Are Back, Will They Matter In 2025?<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc \">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-3861618499 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/elections\/bihar-elections-these-5-missing-leaders-are-back-will-they-matter-in-2025-ws-dkl-9475982.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:July 31, 2025, 17:32 IST Most of these leaders have had long associations with either Lalu Prasad Yadav or Nitish Kumar, and some still wield significant local or caste-based influence Several former prominent leaders are eyeing comebacks in Bihar Assembly polls 2025. As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, political observers are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":524,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}