Bihar Election 2025: Mukesh Sahani Becomes Mahagathbandhan’s Deputy CM Pick After a Rollercoaster Political Ride
Politics in Bihar has never been short on drama, and few stories capture its unpredictability better than that of Mukesh Sahani , the chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Once dismissed as a political lightweight, Sahani has now resurfaced as the Mahagathbandhan ’s Deputy Chief Ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election 2025 - a remarkable turnaround for a man who was once sidelined by the same alliance.
Before stepping into politics, Mukesh Sahani carved a niche for himself in Mumbai’s film industry as a Bollywood set designer . But his real story began in Bihar, where he tapped into the aspirations of the Mallah, Nishad, and Sahani communities, who together make up nearly nine per cent of the state’s voters.
Known as Bihar’s self-styled “Son of Mallah,” Sahani’s community-centric politics gave him a unique edge. However, his political journey wasn’t without turbulence.
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Sahani’s relationship with the Mahagathbandhan fell apart after his demands for 25 seats and the Deputy CM post were rejected. Feeling sidelined, he switched allegiance to the BJP-JD(U)-led NDA .
The decision turned out to be a game-changer. Despite contesting as a small ally, Sahani’s VIP party made a noticeable impact winning four seats, finishing second in six others, and securing 1.52% of the overall vote share. Those small percentages proved crucial in a tight election where the NDA scraped through with just a 15-seat majority.
Political analysts still argue that had Sahani remained with the Mahagathbandhan, the result could have tilted in its favor. His votes, though limited in number, were strategically placed enough to influence outcomes in multiple constituencies.
Ironically, Sahani’s current political clout doesn’t come from the number of MLAs he commands, his party now has none. One of his legislators, Musafir Paswan, passed away within a year of winning, and another defected to the BJP . Even Sahani himself has never won an election, losing both the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2020 Assembly polls.
Yet, his influence among the Mallah community remains undeniable. Parties across the spectrum from the BJP to the Mahagathbandhan recognize that while Sahani may not always win seats, he delivers votes. His backing can result in crucial districts like Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and the Seemanchal belt.
Now, five years after being spurned, Mukesh Sahani finds himself back in the Mahagathbandhan fold not as a minor ally, but as the alliance’s Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate. His elevation marks a full-circle moment and underscores just how valuable caste-based micro-politics remains in Bihar.
As the 2025 elections draw near, Sahani’s comeback story stands as a reminder that in Bihar’s political chessboard, no piece is ever truly out of play. His journey from Bollywood sets to ministerial posts, from betrayal to redemption perfectly sums up the volatility and intrigue that define Bihar’s electoral landscape.
From Bollywood Sets to Bihar’s Political Spotlight
Before stepping into politics, Mukesh Sahani carved a niche for himself in Mumbai’s film industry as a Bollywood set designer . But his real story began in Bihar, where he tapped into the aspirations of the Mallah, Nishad, and Sahani communities, who together make up nearly nine per cent of the state’s voters.
Known as Bihar’s self-styled “Son of Mallah,” Sahani’s community-centric politics gave him a unique edge. However, his political journey wasn’t without turbulence.
The 2020 Fallout: How Sahani Cost Mahagathbandhan the Election
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Sahani’s relationship with the Mahagathbandhan fell apart after his demands for 25 seats and the Deputy CM post were rejected. Feeling sidelined, he switched allegiance to the BJP-JD(U)-led NDA .
The decision turned out to be a game-changer. Despite contesting as a small ally, Sahani’s VIP party made a noticeable impact winning four seats, finishing second in six others, and securing 1.52% of the overall vote share. Those small percentages proved crucial in a tight election where the NDA scraped through with just a 15-seat majority.
Political analysts still argue that had Sahani remained with the Mahagathbandhan, the result could have tilted in its favor. His votes, though limited in number, were strategically placed enough to influence outcomes in multiple constituencies.
Why Mukesh Sahani Still Matters
Ironically, Sahani’s current political clout doesn’t come from the number of MLAs he commands, his party now has none. One of his legislators, Musafir Paswan, passed away within a year of winning, and another defected to the BJP . Even Sahani himself has never won an election, losing both the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2020 Assembly polls.
Yet, his influence among the Mallah community remains undeniable. Parties across the spectrum from the BJP to the Mahagathbandhan recognize that while Sahani may not always win seats, he delivers votes. His backing can result in crucial districts like Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and the Seemanchal belt.
From Political Outsider to Kingmaker
Now, five years after being spurned, Mukesh Sahani finds himself back in the Mahagathbandhan fold not as a minor ally, but as the alliance’s Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate. His elevation marks a full-circle moment and underscores just how valuable caste-based micro-politics remains in Bihar.
As the 2025 elections draw near, Sahani’s comeback story stands as a reminder that in Bihar’s political chessboard, no piece is ever truly out of play. His journey from Bollywood sets to ministerial posts, from betrayal to redemption perfectly sums up the volatility and intrigue that define Bihar’s electoral landscape.
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