Bihar elections 2025 pulse in Mumbai: End ‘jungle raj’, build jobs at home

From the littered lanes of Darbhanga to the crowded streets of Dadar a firm sentiment is taking shape among Biharis who left their villages to chase dreams in Mumbai No longer seeking sympathy they now demand real change in their home state a shift from survival to progress from promises to performanceAs Bihar heads toward the 2025 Assembly Elections starting November 6 thousands of Biharis living and working in Mumbai say they still harbour hopes for a better homeland mdash one that guarantees opportunity dignity and jobs within its borders so future generations do not have to migrate for a secure life and futureDespite a postpandemic decline in migration from Bihar to Mumbai for jobs and gig work those from Bihar still worry about employment improved infrastructure and most importantly a stronger education system in their home stateMany Biharis in Mumbai express frustration that despite years of hard work Bihar continues to lag in employment infrastructure and education Yet some remain hopeful that change may finally come in the years aheadDevelopment A secondary choice for BiharisConsidering the fact that the system in Bihar has failed the hardworking population which forced them to migrate to Mumbai and other cities MidDay on the day of elections talks with different classes of people in Mumbai who migrated from Bihar for better opportunitiesldquoIn Bihar we donrsquot vote blindly Our decisions are primarily based on caste and religionrdquo said Ajay Patwa a 35yearold auto driver who hails from Khagariya constituency in BiharAjay Patwa 35 PicTarun VermaWhen asked about development across various sectors in Bihar the autodriver who resides in Bandra East stated ldquoDevelopment is secondary First we ensure our communityrsquos representation I firmly believe that only when our own people are in power will real progress automatically followrdquoBihar wants changeWhile all the hype during the ongoing election has been captured by Nitish Kumar Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor the people of Bihar living far away from their home think that a new and energetic leader could bring a revolutionary change in Biharrsquos infrastructural and employment sectorWhile hinting at Chirag Paswan to become the next Chief Minister of Bihar Tejram Shivrao 49 who hails from Biharrsquos Samastipur constituency said ldquoBihar is done with false promises and rusted approach towards development The state now wants a visionary leader who thinks out of the boxrdquoTejrao Shivram 49 PicTarun VermaAsserting that the state of Bihar is already in a very critical position Tejram who also works as an autodriver in Mumbairsquos suburbs added ldquoA leader like Chirag Paswan could bring policies that could be a gamechanger for BiharrdquoThe lsquoJungle Rajrsquo fearldquoMoving out of Buxar in 2016 for my studies was one of my first steps to secure better education and professional growthrdquo said Pulkit Kumar who now works with a reputed retail fashion brand in MumbaiExplaining why he had to leave Pulkit told MidDay ldquoI didnrsquot leave Bihar by choice I left because I had no alternativerdquo his voice heavy with emotionPulkit Kumar 24 PicSpecial arrangementldquoBack then violence was routine in Buxar even young boys carried weapons in my area I once got dragged into a fight and that moment changed everything I realised if I stayed my future would disappear in that darkness Today I work in Mumbairsquos fashion retail industry living comfortably I visit home every two months but the situation there hasnrsquot changed much I want lsquojungle rajrsquo to go forever so that Biharrsquos youth donrsquot have to migrate like I did I want them to rise dream and build their lives on their own soilrdquoWeak education infrastructureWhile Nitish Kumar claims Bihar has progressed under the NDA government Biharis nearly 1800 km away still believe lack of jobs is a primary reason they are forced to migrate to bigger citiesNandkishore Poddar who works as a domestic help in a posh Andheri East residential building recalls the emotional toll of leaving Bihar ldquoI spent my childhood in Bihar I studied grew and dreamed in Darbhangardquo he saidNandkishore Poddar 23 PicTarun VermaThe 23yearold narrated his job struggles ldquoAfter completing my education I searched for work across Bihar There were none I went from office to office town to town only to be rejected It broke merdquoldquoFinally a relative advised me to move to Mumbai Six months ago I boarded a train from Darbhanga to Dadar with just a bag and hope Today Irsquom here but a part of me still wishes for those opportunities back homerdquoFreebies vs real opportunitiesWith both NDA and the INDIA bloc parties emphasising freebies young Biharis feel such schemes do not solve unemployment and instead discourage people from seeking workOn October 21 the Mahagathbandhan led by the RJD and Congress released its manifesto lsquoBihar Ka Tejashwi Pranrsquo promising a law within 20 days of forming the government to ensure one government job per familyHowever many view it as a political tacticAnand Kumar 26 a chartered accountant by profession in Mumbai said ldquoI spent my childhood in Bihar and followed almost every election closelyrdquo recalling his years in Barauli constituencyCA Anand Kumar 23 PicSpecial arrangementldquoFrom Lalu Yadav to Nitish Kumar leaders talk about jobs and development close to electionsrdquoldquoThey promise change and opportunities mdash but once votes are counted everything goes silentrdquo the 24yearold addedAs the Bihar elections 2025 starts off yesterday the main contest stays between the NDA and the MahagathbandhanThe NDA includes the BJP JDU LJP Ram Vilas HAM Secular and Rashtriya Lok Morcha The Mahagathbandhan includes RJD Congress CPIML Liberation CPI CPIM VIP and Indian Inclusive PartyPrashant Kishorrsquos Jan Suraaj is also contesting all 243 seats Bihar votes in two phases on November 6 and 11 and the results will be declared on November 14