Odisha’s Son Set to Steer Bihar Battle: Dharmendra Pradhan Takes Charge of Key Election

New Delhi: In a major political move ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, widely regarded as one of Odisha’s tallest leaders, has been appointed as the BJP’s in-charge for the upcoming Bihar elections. His new role positions him at the centre of one of India’s most critical political battlegrounds, signalling the BJP’s high-stakes strategy for the state.

Pradhan will be supported by two co in-charges — Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Uttar Pradesh leader Keshav Prasad Maurya — as the party prepares for an intense electoral showdown.

The Bihar election dates, expected to be announced next month, will set the stage for a fiercely contested fight across all 243 assembly seats. The elections are expected to test the strength of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA alliance against the opposition bloc led by Tejashwi Yadav, with caste dynamics, development agendas, and law-and-order issues dominating public discourse.

This election is drawing national attention, with the battle lines stretching from Patna to Delhi. Nitish Kumar’s long-standing governance model will be challenged by Tejashwi Yadav’s aggressive push for social justice, while political circles also closely observe the rising influence of strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj party.

The BJP has simultaneously announced election in-charges for two other crucial states — West Bengal and Tamil Nadu — both headed for polls early next year. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav will oversee Bengal with Tripura MP Biplab Deb as co in-charge, while Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda will lead the charge in Tamil Nadu.

With these appointments, the BJP aims to strengthen its footprint across eastern and southern India. In Bengal, the party hopes to build on the gains from the previous election, while in Tamil Nadu it plans to challenge the dominance of the Dravidian giants.

Dharmendra Pradhan’s new responsibility, however, remains the most watched — a true test of political strategy, leadership, and electoral skill as Odisha’s son prepares to shape the Bihar battlefield.