Patna: The most interesting contest of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 is being seen this time on Hisua Assembly seat of Nawada district. Politics here has now turned into a war not just of ideology but within the family. On one hand, the current Congress MLA Neetu Kumari, on the other hand, her sister-in-law and her one-time ally Abha Devi are now seen in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp. Both are daughters-in-law of the same family and both have the same goal of taking over the political legacy of their father-in-law, late Aditya Singh.
Aditya Singh's name remained among the most influential leaders in Hisua politics for decades. During his six-time tenure as MLA, he had made a strong hold in this area through both development and contacts.
Now both his daughters-in-law Neetu Kumari and Abha Devi want to inherit the same influence, but through different paths. Neetu Kumari is contesting on Congress ticket for the second consecutive time, while Abha Devi, who was once the district president of Congress, is now campaigning for BJP candidate Anil Singh. This family equation is now creating a new stir in the politics of entire Nawada.
Just five years ago, in the 2020 elections, Abha Devi was seen campaigning shoulder to shoulder for her sister-in-law Neetu Kumari. Then both of them were called “the strong pair of the organization”. But in the last three years the differences between the two deepened. According to local leaders, after becoming MLAs, tension increased between the two regarding organizational decisions and leadership style. Now the same differences have openly turned into political rebellion.
On Friday, Abha Devi campaigned on an open platform in support of BJP candidate Anil Singh and said, “Now the people in Hisua want development, not nepotism.” While speaking on the platform belonging to the BJP camp, Abha Devi made a direct attack on her sister-in-law. He said, "I gave every possible support to Neetuji while I was in Congress, but the public has been disappointed in the last five years. Now there is a need for a new beginning in Hisua." He also said that his joining BJP is a “choice of development, not ideology”.
On this family political war, Congress MLA Neetu Kumari said, "I have always given priority to both the organization and the public. If someone has left the party, it is his decision. The public is watching everything, and will answer with votes." Neetu Kumari claimed that Congress gave her the ticket because she has worked for the development of the area in the last five years. Ran many schemes for roads, education, health and women self-help groups.
This fight on Hisua seat is not only between Congress and BJP, but the question of who will be the real heir to Aditya Singh's legacy has also become big. Aditya Singh was MLA six times and was a respected name in the area. After his death, both the daughters-in-law started making their own ground in domestic politics. Earlier both were in the same party, but now the line of ideology and loyalty has divided the family into two parts.
Yadav, Kurmi and Dalit voters play a decisive role in Hisua. In 2020, Congress had won by getting the support of these communities. Now with Abha Devi joining BJP, the “family” vote bank may get divided into two parts.
