Muslim and Yadav voters prepare to rewrite the contest in 2025 as Shahabuddin’s son enters the political battlefield with RJD’s full backing
NEW DELHI – Whenever Bihar goes to elections, the name Siwan inevitably comes to the forefront. For decades, the late Mohammad Shahabuddin, one of the most influential Muslim leaders in the state, defined the politics of this region. Even after his death, his shadow continues to dominate. Now, with his son Osama Shahab prepares to contest from the Raghunathpur Assembly seat on a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ticket, the political battle of 2025 has gained a new intensity.
The seat is not just another assembly constituency — it is seen as a reflection of Muslim confidence in Bihar’s democracy. With 3.08 lakh voters, including 23 percent Muslims, 9.6 percent Yadavs, and around 11.5 percent Scheduled Castes, the contest is shaped heavily by the Muslim-Yadav (MY) equation.
A local resident, Mohammad Irfan, summed it up: “For us, Osama is not just Shahabuddin’s son, he represents our dignity. The RJD has always stood with Muslims, while the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) leaders only used us for votes.”
Since 2015, the RJD has held this seat firmly, with Harishankar Yadav winning twice in a row. In 2020, he extended his victory margin to nearly 18,000 votes, while the NDA faltered due to internal divisions.
Harishankar Yadav himself openly welcomed Osama’s rise: “If Osama contests, I will give him my full support. The Muslim-Yadav unity is our strength, and no one can break it.”
This open endorsement means the RJD is likely to project Osama as a symbol of Shahabuddin’s political inheritance. Many voters here still recall Shahabuddin as the man who gave Siwan a voice when mainstream parties ignored them.
Shabana Khatoon, a teacher in Raghunathpur, reflected the sentiment: “Shahabuddin never let Muslims feel powerless. His son’s entry has brought back hope in our hearts.”
The Muslim population in Raghunathpur has been the backbone of RJD’s victories. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while the JD(U) managed to win Siwan by 92,000 votes overall, in Raghunathpur itself the independent candidate Hena Shahab—closely associated with Shahabuddin’s family—polled ahead of the NDA.
This clearly showed that Muslim voters rejected the BJP-JDU alliance at the local level. A young voter, Faizan Ahmad, explained: “The NDA may buy votes elsewhere, but here Muslims know who sacrificed for them. We will not forget our loyalty.”
For the JDU and BJP, the challenge is huge. In 2020, the JDU finished in third place with over 26,000 votes, more than the RJD’s victory margin. But disunity within the NDA and its failure to win Muslim trust left them powerless.
Analysts believe the NDA has no real appeal among Muslims in Raghunathpur. The BJP’s repeated targeting of Muslims across the country, from bulldozer politics to communal speeches, has widened the gap.
Local activist Salman Rashid said bluntly: “How can Muslims trust the BJP or JDU when they stay silent on attacks against our mosques and homes? Here in Siwan, people have long memories.”
With Osama entering the fray, this election is not just about numbers but about identity and loyalty. For Muslims in Raghunathpur, voting for Osama means continuing Shahabuddin’s struggle for representation.
Political observers say the NDA will struggle to bridge the emotional connection Muslims feel with the Shahabuddin family. Even among Yadavs and Dalits, the RJD’s consistent support for weaker sections keeps the party strong.
Raghunathpur farmer, Ram Naresh, admitted: “Even though I am not a Muslim, I vote for the RJD because they listen to the poor. The NDA only remembers us during elections.”
The 2025 assembly elections in Raghunathpur are now a direct contest between the legacy of Shahabuddin through his son Osama and the struggling NDA alliance. With RJD’s backing and the MY factor working strongly, the mood on the ground is tilted towards Osama.
As another resident, Aftab Alam, put it simply: “This election is about our honour. With Osama, Muslims and Yadavs will show unity once again, and no amount of Hindu politics can break it.”
