Bihar Assembly Election: Sudden Twist in Fortunes for an Independent in Mohania

By Admin

01 Nov, 2025

In a surprising turn of events, the Mohania constituency in Bihar’s Kaimur district has become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the 2025 Assembly elections. What began as a routine electoral contest took an unexpected twist when the Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected the nomination of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Sweta Suman, leading to a dramatic realignment of political loyalties and strategies.

A Fortunate Turn for an Independent

Independent candidate Ravi Shankar Paswan, 44, has suddenly found himself at the centre of political attention. After the cancellation of Ms. Suman’s nomination on the grounds that she was a resident of Uttar Pradesh and hence ineligible to contest in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav stepped in to back Mr. Paswan. The RJD chief publicly appealed to his party workers and supporters to rally behind the Independent, turning what was once a routine contest into a political thriller.

The New Face of RJD’s Support

With Tejashwi Yadav’s endorsement, Mr. Paswan now faces sitting MLA Sangita Kumari, who recently switched sides from the RJD to the BJP. The move has transformed the Mohania election into a direct RJD-backed Independent versus BJP face-off. Ms. Kumari, who won the 2020 election on an RJD ticket, joined the BJP in the presence of State chief Dilip Kumar Jaiswal and is contesting under the saffron banner this time.

A Political Legacy and Experience

Ravi Paswan is not new to Bihar’s dynamic political scene. The son of Chhedi Paswan, former BJP MP from Sasaram, he has seen political shifts up close. His father was elected as Mohania MLA on a Janata Dal (United) ticket in 2005 and 2010, before moving to the BJP and winning the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019. Ravi himself contested from Mohania in 2015 on a Samajwadi Party ticket but lost. This year, with RJD’s backing, he hopes to rewrite his political fate.

“I am really grateful to Tejashwi Yadav ji, who has shown trust in me,” Mr. Paswan said at his father’s residence in Sasaram. “I’ve been working for the people of Mohania for over 20 years, and I believe they will support me for my dedication and honesty.”

Political Musical Chairs in Mohania

The Mohania seat has a rich and complex political history. Over the years, it has been represented by multiple parties including Congress, RJD, BJP, BSP, and Janata Party. Congress has won it five times, RJD twice, while Suresh Pasi remains the only legislator to have held it thrice. The BJP’s Niranjan Ram had victories in 2014 and 2015 before losing to RJD’s Sangita Kumari in 2020. Now, with her switch to the BJP, the constituency finds itself once again in the midst of political musical chairs.

Mr. Paswan has accused Ms. Kumari of betraying her voters by switching parties and being involved in corruption. “There is huge anger towards the sitting MLA. People will punish her for changing sides and taking commissions on projects,” he claimed. Meanwhile, his father, Chhedi Paswan, is actively campaigning for him, asserting that “if Ravi wins, Tejashwi Yadav will become the Chief Minister.”

The Battle Intensifies

Ms. Sangita Kumari has hit back, labelling Mr. Paswan a “parachute candidate” with no grassroots connection. “I have worked for five years with the people. The RJD had already made up its mind to drop me, and that’s why they gave the ticket to someone else,” she said.

Anti-Incumbency and Public Discontent

Signs of anti-incumbency are clearly visible in Mohania. During Ms. Kumari’s campaign in Mohanpur village, angry villagers questioned her absence over the past five years, forcing her to leave the venue amid protests. “She never came here before, and now she wants our votes. We need a leader who stands with us,” said Mithilesh Paswan, a local resident.

Ms. Kumari later described the protest as a “planned act” and condemned the behaviour of the villagers, especially toward a woman legislator.

A Multi-Cornered Contest

While the spotlight is on Ravi Paswan and Sangita Kumari, candidates from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) are also in the fray, ensuring a multi-cornered contest.

Conclusion

The Mohania constituency has always reflected the unpredictable pulse of Bihar’s politics, and this election is no exception. With RJD’s surprise endorsement of an Independent and growing anti-incumbency sentiment, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive contest. Whether Ravi Shankar Paswan’s sudden rise turns into a historic victory or remains a fleeting moment of fortune will be decided when Mohania heads to the polls in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.