Bihar Election Results 2025: RJD’s Khesari Lal Yadav Trails BJP’s Chhoti Kumari in Early Counting Trends

GG News Bureau
Patna, 14th Nov: As the counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 began on Friday, early trends from the high-stakes Chapra constituency show RJD candidate Shatrughan Yadav, better known by his stage name Khesari Lal Yadav, trailing behind the BJP’s Chhoti Kumari. The Election Commission’s initial updates indicate a competitive and unpredictable contest, with fortunes likely to shift as counting progresses through the day.

The multi-cornered battle in Chapra has intensified this year with the entry of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, which has fielded Jai Prakash Singh, a former IPS officer from the 2000 batch. Singh recently opted for voluntary retirement to join politics, and his presence is expected to influence the vote share of both major alliances—the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan—adding uncertainty to an already tense political fight.

Khesari Lal Yadav’s Political Debut Draws Youth Spotlight

Khesari Lal Yadav, one of the biggest names in Bhojpuri cinema and music, is making his electoral debut this year. Born in Chapra and adored across Bihar for his on-screen charisma and musical hits, the 39-year-old star entered politics with high expectations. He officially joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal on October 16 in the presence of senior party leader Tejashwi Yadav, signaling the Mahagathbandhan’s outreach to the youth and entertainment-driven voter base.

Khesari’s father, Mangru Yadav, comes from a modest background, a story that the RJD has actively used to shape a narrative of grassroots representation. With millions of fans across the Saran region, his candidature was seen as a strategic attempt to counter the BJP in a constituency where RJD has struggled to gain strong footing over the past decade.

However, despite his massive popularity, early results suggest that converting film stardom into electoral numbers may be an uphill task, especially in a constituency as politically layered as Chapra.

Why the BJP Is Backing Chhoti Kumari

The Bharatiya Janata Party surprised many by dropping its two-term MLA Dr. CN Gupta, who has held the Chapra seat since 2015 and is also the RSS sanghchalak (chief) of Saran. The decision to replace him with Chhoti Kumari was widely seen as an attempt to counter anti-incumbency and present a fresh face to voters.

Choti Kumari enters the contest with the advantage of representing a constituency that has been a BJP stronghold since 2010. Party insiders believe she can consolidate the traditional BJP vote while attracting younger and first-time voters who may be seeking change.

However, the saffron camp faces an unexpected challenge from Rakhi Gupta, a local favorite who is contesting independently after being denied a ticket. Her candidature risks splitting the BJP’s vote share, adding yet another layer of unpredictability to the race.

Chapra: A Constituency That Rarely Plays Predictably

Located in the politically sensitive Saran district, Chapra is known for contests shaped by caste alignments, local loyalties, and shifting alliances. The constituency has historically seen strong competition between Rajput and Yadav candidates, while also hosting significant populations of Muslims and OBC communities—particularly Koeri and Kurmi voters.

In the 2020 election, BJP’s CN Gupta defeated RJD’s Randhir Kumar Singh to retain the seat with a comfortable margin. But 2025 has transformed the battleground entirely. With Khesari Lal Yadav’s star power, Chhoti Kumari’s fresh candidature, Rakhi Gupta’s rebellion, and Jai Prakash Singh’s sudden political entry, Chapra has become one of the most watched constituencies of this election.

As counting continues through the day, the battle remains wide open. The final outcome will not just shape the future of Chapra but will also signal how Bihar’s voters are responding to new faces and emerging political voices.