Bihar Assembly Concludes Final Session Ahead of Elections Amid Uproar; Speaker Delivers Emotional Farewell
The 17th Bihar Legislative Assembly concluded its final session on July 25 with emotional speeches and repeated disruptions over the SIR voter-list verification drive. As polls near in October-November, the focus shifts to electoral preparedness and political realignments.
NewsSutra
The 17th Bihar Legislative Assembly concluded its final sitting on July 25, 2025, with the adjournment sine die of a stormy five-day monsoon session. Marking the end of a significant legislative tenure, the session witnessed both reflection and rancour — from tearful goodbyes to bitter clashes over the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of voter rolls.
The session drew a curtain on a volatile legislative term, paving the way for October–November elections that are expected to reshape Bihar’s political landscape. The emotional farewell delivered by Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary was seen by many as a symbolic closing chapter to a five-year tenure defined by shifting alliances, governance reforms, and caste-centric debates.
Session Highlights: Disruptions and Debate
The monsoon session, held from July 20 to July 25, was expected to be largely procedural, but quickly became heated due to rising tensions around the SIR voter list verification drive conducted by the Election Commission.
Opposition parties, especially the RJD and Left fronts, accused the government of using the SIR process to manipulate voter rolls in certain constituencies — allegedly targeting specific caste and minority populations for removal. Members stormed the well of the house multiple times, raising slogans, displaying placards, and demanding a judicial probe into the exercise.
According to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha Bulletin, no fewer than six adjournments occurred on a single day, with marshals deployed twice to restore order.
“Democracy cannot function when the voter list itself is under suspicion,” said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, addressing the media outside the Assembly.
The SIR Exercise: Transparency or Targeting?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive began earlier this year as a routine effort by the Election Commission to clean up electoral rolls — removing duplicate names, updating voter information, and ensuring accurate representation.
However, the process took a political turn when multiple opposition constituencies in Patna, Gaya, and Siwan reported high rates of voter deletion. A report by the Bihar Election Watch, a civil society group, highlighted inconsistencies in door-to-door verification, especially in Dalit and Muslim localities.
While the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance dismissed the allegations as “fear-mongering,” the opposition demanded an immediate halt and independent oversight of the ongoing revisions.
The Election Commission has yet to release a formal statement addressing the allegations, but state election officials maintain the process is following standard EC protocols.
Speaker's Emotional Farewell: “The House is My Temple”
In stark contrast to the charged political atmosphere, Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary delivered an emotional farewell address on the final day, drawing standing applause from members across party lines.
“This House is not just a building; it is a temple of democracy where differences are debated, and consensus is built. I may not return, but I leave with faith in Bihar’s people and Constitution,” said the Speaker, his voice cracking during the final minutes of the session.
Choudhary, a senior RJD leader who held the position since 2022, also appealed to younger legislators to maintain the dignity of the House and uphold parliamentary traditions even in times of fierce ideological divide.
Many legislators were visibly moved, with even political rivals taking to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the Speaker’s impartiality and statesmanship over the years.
Legislative Business Conducted
Despite disruptions, the Assembly was able to pass seven bills, including the:
-
Bihar Infrastructure Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Bihar Agricultural Produce Market (Regulation) Bill, 2025
-
State Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill, 2025
The government also tabled the CAG report on public spending for FY 2023–24, revealing an overall improvement in fiscal discipline but flagging shortfalls in education and health department disbursements.
The Finance Minister reaffirmed that the state’s fiscal deficit was within the FRBM Act limits, projecting a more stable financial trajectory heading into the election year.
Poll Preparations: Realignments and Strategy
With the Assembly officially adjourned, all eyes are now on the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is expected to announce the poll schedule in late August.
Bihar’s political terrain has seen substantial churn:
-
The ruling JD(U)-BJP coalition, re-formed in 2024 after Nitish Kumar’s dramatic return to the NDA, is banking on development narratives, law and order, and the caste-based EBC (Extremely Backward Classes) support.
-
The opposition RJD-Congress-Left Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav, is focusing on unemployment, education reforms, and social justice.
-
New players like Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) and Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party may cut into traditional vote banks in Seemanchal and Mithila.
Political commentators at Centre for Policy Research suggest that the 2025 elections could see tight multi-cornered contests in at least 60 of the 243 constituencies, making smaller regional parties key kingmakers in a post-poll scenario.
Voter Turnout & Trust: The Critical Issue
Bihar’s voter turnout, particularly among youth and marginalized communities, remains a concern. Data from CSDS-Lokniti indicates a drop in turnout among first-time voters in the 2020 elections — a trend attributed to disenchantment, out-migration, and technical errors in voter lists.
If the SIR controversy is not addressed transparently, it could further erode public faith in the democratic process.
“This election is not just about who wins — it’s about who is allowed to vote,” warned a member of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) during a recent press conference in Patna.
Broader Implications for National Politics
The Bihar election is widely seen as a bellwether for national trends ahead of the 2026 Lok Sabha elections. A strong performance by the NDA could consolidate its grip on the Hindi heartland, while a robust showing by the opposition may re-energize anti-incumbency forces.
Additionally, Bihar’s model of caste census-led welfare politics is being closely observed by states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where similar demands are gaining momentum.
Looking Ahead: A Contested Yet Crucial Mandate
As the state transitions from legislative debate to electoral battle, Bihar stands at a critical juncture. Its youth, farmers, and urban middle class are all looking for credible answers on jobs, inflation, infrastructure, and representation.
The monsoon session may have ended, but the storm in Bihar’s political sky is just beginning to brew.
