‘Open To Allies Beyond BJP’: SBSP Chief Rajbhar Eyes 29 Seats In Bihar Election 2025
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said that his party was in talks with the BJP.
Published : August 1, 2025 at 2:58 PM IST
Patna: As Bihar heads towards the much-awaited assembly elections, a key ally of the BJP-led NDA government in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is eyeing new political turf, claiming influence over 132 seats.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said that his party wants to contest in the 29 seats and was in talks with the BJP.
Rajbhar said Bihar politics revolves around a huge chunk of the extremely backwards and Dalit population, whom he claims to represent.
“At least 36 per cent of the votes in Bihar belong to the extremely backwards. In 29 assembly seats, the population of the Rajbhar community is significant, and our candidates have high chances of winning the elections,” he said. “We want to contest on all these seats even as our influence is on 132 seats, and candidates are also ready. There are more than 15,000 voters for each assembly seat,” he said.
Rajbhar said his party was in talks with the BJP and wants to make an impressive entry in Bihar with their support. “If a positive response is given by the NDA, then it is fine; otherwise, we have other options as well,” he added.
Rajbhar eyeing districts adjoining UP
Rajbhar said he eyes the districts adjoining Uttar Pradesh, where he is believed to have good influence. “We are strong in the Gaya, Jehanabad, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Arwal, East Champaran, West Champaran, Nawada, Nalanda, and Munger districts. We have also worked in these areas,” he said.
However, sources suggest that Rajbhar's party might get three seats in Bihar in the 2025 assembly polls as per the seat-sharing agreement.
'Working in Bihar for 22 years'
Rajbhar, who is the Panchayati Raj and Minority Welfare Minister in the Uttar Pradesh Government, claimed that he had been working in Bihar for the last 22 years and deserves more seats.
“We are fully prepared to contest elections in Bihar. We are in talks with Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda. We have also received assurance from them. If we get respectable seats in Bihar, we are ready to contest elections with the NDA,” he said.
“There are many parties in Bihar who are in touch with us. If things do not work out with NDA, we can also ally with other parties. The option of Jan Suraj is also open,” Rajbhar added.
More about Rajbhar
Rajbhar formed the SBSP in 2002 after separating from Mayawati’s Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP).
He won the Zahoorabad assembly seat in 2017 and 2022. Currently, Rajbhar is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government.
According to the caste census data, 0.17% of the population in Bihar is from the Rajbhar population, comprising 224,172 people, which is why Rajbhar has been looking for political ground in Bihar for the last few years.
Rajbhar had fielded candidates in Ramgarh and Tarari in the byelections, but the candidature was later withdrawn at the request of the central leadership of the BJP.
Read More
