Why UP political leaders are stars of Bihar election campaigning

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav (L) and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath (Courtesy: PTI)

As Bihar gears up for the 2025 assembly elections, the political spotlight has shifted towards Uttar Pradesh’s top leaders. From Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spearheading the BJP’s campaign to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav backing the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan, UP’s political heavyweights are in high demand across Bihar’s electoral battleground.

Both leaders are drawing huge crowds and energising their respective party bases, underscoring how deeply Bihar’s politics remains intertwined with Uttar Pradesh. The two states share not just a border but also cultural, linguistic, and caste ties, making UP’s leaders natural influencers among Bihar’s voters.

Yogi Adityanath: BJP's star campaigner

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emerged as one of BJP’s biggest crowd-pullers in Bihar. The party has planned over 24 rallies and public meetings for him across both phases of the election, covering more than 50 constituencies in northern and border districts such as Siwan, Gopalganj, West Champaran, and Darbhanga.

BJP insiders say demand for Yogi’s rallies and roadshows is the highest among all campaigners. Senior Bihar leaders are eager to host his events, convinced that his fiery speeches and Hindutva appeal help consolidate the party’s vote bank. “Mobilising crowds for Yogi’s rallies is far easier than for any other leader,” a senior BJP functionary said.

Manoj Bhadra, a senior journalist and political observer, attributes his (Yogi's) popularity in Bihar to three factors: regional influence, strong Hindutva persona, and his tough administrative image. “Coming from Gorakhpur, Yogi’s appeal extends naturally into adjoining Bihar districts. His ‘Bulldozer Baba’ image, rooted in his aggressive push for law and order and Hindu mobilisation, resonates with rural voters who admire his no-nonsense governance style,” he said.

Bhadra believes Yogi’s presence boosts BJP’s morale, reinforces the party’s Hindutva narrative, and could play a decisive role in key constituencies where margins are expected to be narrow. “Yogi’s presence also reinforces the party’s Hindutva narrative, a key factor in the high-stakes Bihar election,” he said.

Akhilesh Yadav: Mahagathbandhan's key ally

On the other side of the political divide, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has become the face of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan’s campaign. His rallies focus on social justice, backward caste representation, and youth empowerment — themes that align closely with the alliance’s strategy.

Akhilesh will launch his campaign in Bihar Saturday, addressing 17 rallies across 17 constituencies between November 2 and 5. His tour begins in Dharmdaha (Purnea) and will cover Baburahi (Madhubani) and Bahadurpur (Darbhanga) on the first day. Over the next four days, he will campaign across Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Saran, East Champaran, Siwan, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, Banka, and Bhagalpur districts.

Rajendra Kumar, a political analyst, said Akhilesh’s campaign aims to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan’s support base among backward classes, Dalits, minorities, and farmers. “He is also expected to share the stage with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, projecting an image of opposition unity,” he said.

According to party sources, Akhilesh's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) slogan is resonating strongly in regions with large OBC and minority populations.

Shared politics, shared stakes

The growing demand for Uttar Pradesh leaders in Bihar highlights the deep political and social overlap between the two states. Communities such as Yadavs, Kurmis, and Kushwahas — crucial to both SP and BJP — form significant voter blocs across the border.

While Yogi Adityanath is consolidating the BJP’s saffron base in northern and western Bihar, Akhilesh Yadav is strengthening the Mahagathbandhan’s foothold in the east and Mithilanchal region. Their campaigns are not just drawing attention but also reshaping local contests into high-stakes regional showdowns.

Beyond these two heavyweights, senior UP ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak are also campaigning in Bihar, focusing on OBC-dominated regions. The cross-border political push underscores how Bihar’s electoral narrative is increasingly shaped by Uttar Pradesh’s leaders.

As the campaign intensifies, Bihar’s political battlefield has begun to mirror the rivalry that defines UP — Yogi’s hardline Hindutva versus Akhilesh’s social justice politics. Together, their presence is turning the Bihar election into an extension of the power struggle next door.