Bihar Elections 2025: Ajay Rai Targets Unemployment, Inflation, and Liquor Smuggling

What do Bihar’s voters want in 2025? Jobs, relief from rising prices, and a government they can trust. In a pointed political attack ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai claimed his party will form the government in the state. He said people are fed up with what he called misgovernance, and he focused on three hot-button issues: unemployment, inflation, and the fallout of prohibition.

At the heart of his message was a promise of change, backed by sharp criticism of the current ruling establishment. Rai alleged that on-ground enforcement has failed, youth have few opportunities, and the state’s prohibition policy has fueled a black market that links traders with power.

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Who is speaking and what’s the claim?

Ajay Rai, the chief of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, said the Congress is confident of forming the government in Bihar in 2025. Speaking about the state’s mood, he argued that the public has run out of patience with the current regime. His comments came with a clear political edge: Bihar, he suggested, is ready to vote for change because daily life has not improved for most people.

He also used the phrase “sushasan to kushasan,” a stinging play on words. “Sushasan” is a term associated with good governance, and Rai’s twist implied that the promise of clean and effective rule has turned into misrule. It was a direct swipe at the leadership that has been in and around power in Bihar for the better part of two decades.

Key issues raised by Ajay Rai

Rai focused on a set of aligned concerns that, in his view, define the current political mood.

• Unemployment among youth

• Inflation hitting households

• Prohibition fueling bootlegging and corruption

• Public anger toward those in power

Below is a simple snapshot of the core claims he made.

Theme Rai’s Claim Who He Blames Jobs and youth Young people are frustrated with a lack of employment opportunities The current state government Rising prices Households are struggling with inflation The current state government Prohibition and liquor Prohibition has led to liquor smuggling and an underground trade Ruling party representatives, police, and administration Governance Good governance turned into misgovernance The current state government

“Sushasan” to “Kushasan”: What he meant

Ajay Rai argued that Bihar’s promise of good governance has faded. For years, leaders marketed the image of stable administration, safe streets, and better services. Rai said that reality has moved in the opposite direction. According to him, the system feels heavy-handed for ordinary citizens and yet strangely lenient for those who abuse power.

He called out what he sees as a culture of impunity. His view is that the public knows who benefits from the current arrangement, and that voters will punish those in power if they see little change in their daily lives.

Youth and unemployment: Why this hits home

Jobs are the heartbeat of any state election, and in Bihar that heartbeat feels unsteady. Ajay Rai said young people are tired, anxious, and angry. They want stable work, timely exams, and reliable recruitment. He framed unemployment as both an economic and a social issue. When youth feel stuck, everything slows down: spending, confidence, and the belief that effort leads to reward.

He presented this as a core reason voters would consider a reset. If a new government can deliver employment, even in a phased manner, that alone can shape the outcome. The message to young voters was simple: your frustration is justified, and it’s time for accountability.

Inflation and daily life

Rai coupled unemployment with inflation, a one-two punch for families. Prices rising while incomes stagnate makes even basic planning hard. He framed inflation as a failure of governance, not a passing trend. Whether it is groceries, transport, or services, small increases add up.

The political impact is direct. When essentials get pricier, people question priorities. Are policy decisions helping ordinary households or protecting a few? Rai tapped into that sentiment to argue that voters will demand relief.

Prohibition and the liquor trade: A core allegation

One of Rai’s strongest charges focused on prohibition. He said the state banned alcohol, then allowed a black market to flourish. According to him, those connected to power are part of the problem. He alleged that liquor smuggling is not an open secret, it is a business that operates with the help of the administration and law enforcement.

His claim was blunt: the government shut legal shops, and in the shadows, a bigger trade bloomed. He argued that this enriched a network of middlemen, while public health and safety did not improve. For many families, prohibition has also meant fear of unsafe, spurious alcohol. The political jab was clear: the policy looks good on paper, but on the ground it benefits the wrong people.

Why these themes matter in the 2025 race

The stories that decide elections are often personal. Ajay Rai’s remarks targeted daily struggles. If you can’t find a job, if your monthly budget is stretched thin, and if you see rules applied unevenly, then you’re likely to look for change.

• Jobs shape aspirations. A sense of progress keeps people invested.

• Prices shape routines. High costs force hard choices.

• Law enforcement shapes trust. If the system looks rigged, people disengage.

These aren’t abstract debates. They dictate whether a young graduate stays or leaves, whether a shop owner hires, and whether a parent pays extra for basics.

What a Congress pitch might look like

While Ajay Rai didn’t spell out a full blueprint, his comments hint at what a Congress pitch could include:

• Employment drives focused on youth

• Clean recruitment with clear timelines

• Targeted relief for inflation-hit households

• Reforms around prohibition policy and enforcement

• Transparent oversight over police and administration

Even a few visible wins can build momentum. For example, time-bound hiring in public departments, support for small businesses to expand their workforce, and a crackdown on corruption in enforcement could serve as early trust-builders.

The political subtext: Accountability and image

Rai’s message wasn’t just critique. It was an attempt to redefine the image of governance in Bihar. If “sushasan” is the brand, he is arguing that the brand no longer matches the product. That argument matters because Bihar’s politics often comes down to two questions: who can deliver stable rule and who can deliver results you can feel.

He positioned the Congress as a credible alternative, confident enough to say it will form the next government. Whether that confidence translates into votes will depend on how persuasively the party can speak to jobs, prices, and safety.

The narrative on the ground

Elections don’t just live on TV clips, they play out in neighborhoods, markets, and colleges. Ajay Rai’s talking points mirror the conversations many voters are having.

• Young people want recruitment calendars that don’t shift.

• Parents want affordable essentials and a sense that policies help the public, not a few insiders.

• Communities want safety without selective enforcement.

These concerns create a fertile ground for any party that can present a believable plan. The opposition will push accountability. The ruling side will point to their record and promises of continuity. Voters will weigh both against their lived experience.

What to watch as the campaign unfolds

As Bihar moves closer to the 2025 polls, expect this theme to dominate: jobs and fairness. Ajay Rai has set a clear frame. Now the questions are about execution and credibility.

Watch for:

• Concrete job proposals, not just slogans

• Clarity on how to address inflation without short-term gimmicks

• A realistic path on prohibition enforcement that doesn’t fuel an underground trade

• Signs of internal unity and candidate strength across regions

Voters respond to plans they can track. If parties share timelines, dashboards, and measurable goals, they can win trust faster.

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Bottom line

Ajay Rai’s claim is bold: Congress will form the government in Bihar. His critique is sharp: the ruling establishment failed on jobs, prices, and honest enforcement. His charge on prohibition is serious, alleging a network of smuggling that includes people in power.

Whether voters believe him will come down to two things. First, how convincingly he and his party turn these themes into clear promises. Second, whether people see any real improvement in the months ahead. If daily life still feels hard and unfair, calls for change will grow louder.

In a race shaped by unemployment, inflation, and trust in law, the side that offers practical fixes, not platitudes, will have the edge. The campaign has begun, and so has the contest over who can speak to Bihar’s most basic needs and deliver results that last.