As the polls open in Bihar on November 6 and 11 for its 243-seat assembly, the election is more than a state-level contest—it is a barometer for the strength and durability of the BJP-led alliance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With results slated for November 14, the outcome will likely echo well beyond the borders of Bihar.

A State Under Pressure

Bihar remains one of India’s most challenged states: high levels of migration, persistent poverty, fractured infrastructure and youth seeking livelihoods elsewhere. While the unemployment rate for those aged 15-29 dropped to about 9.9% in fiscal 2023-24, from around 30.9% five years prior, the promise of stable and dignified work remains unfulfilled for many. Voter roll revisions and allegations of disenfranchisement have added a layer of

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