Nitish Kumar’s JDU Expels 16 Leaders Ahead of Bihar Assembly Polls

October 26, 2025

Bihar: In a major disciplinary move just days before the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) expelled 16 party leaders for alleged anti-party activities. The announcement on Sunday, October 26, followed a previous expulsion of 11 leaders the day before, signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward dissent within the party.

Key Leaders Among the Expelled

Those recently expelled include sitting MLA Gopal Mandal, former MLA Maheshwar Yadav, and former MLC Sanjeev Shyam Singh. The party accused them of acting “against the core interests and discipline of the JDU,” with some reportedly preparing to contest the elections independently.

The earlier list, announced on October 25, targeted 11 senior figures, including:

• Former Minister Shailesh Kumar
• Former MLC Sanjay Prasad
• Former MLAs Shyam Bahadur Singh and Sudarshan Kumar
• Former MLCs Ranvijay Singh, Amar Kumar Singh, Asma Parveen, Love Kumar, Asha Suman, Divyanshu Bharadwaj, and Vivek Shukla

Party insiders say Nitish Kumar personally reviewed the expulsions, underscoring the leadership’s intent to send a strong message that disloyalty or internal factionalism would not be tolerated ahead of the crucial polls.

Nitish Kumar Attacks Opposition Over “Vote Bank Politics”

Amid the internal shake-up, Nitish Kumar launched a sharp attack on the opposition INDIA bloc, accusing them of treating the Muslim community as a mere “vote bank.” He highlighted that opposition parties often make hollow promises, while the NDA government has consistently delivered tangible welfare initiatives.

Kumar cited measures implemented since 2005, including:

• Increased funding for the Minority Welfare Department
• Modernization and financial support for madrasas
• Scholarships and hostel facilities for students
• Entrepreneurship programs for young Muslims

Urging Focus on Development, Not Rhetoric

Nitish Kumar appealed to Bihar’s minority voters to evaluate parties based on real achievements rather than political rhetoric. “We have brought peace, reduced communal tensions, and prioritized inclusive development,” he said, contrasting his administration’s track record with previous governments accused of neglecting genuine progress.

Bihar Assembly Polls in Two Phases

The 243-seat Bihar Assembly election will be held in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—with results declared on November 14. These expulsions and political statements underline growing turbulence within the JDU and raise the stakes for both the NDA and opposition in what promises to be one of Bihar’s most closely watched elections in recent years.