The political discourse surrounding the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has taken a lyrical turn, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing attention to a worrying trend: Opposition campaign songs filled with aggressive undertones and dialect-heavy lyrics. Launching the NDA’s campaign from Samastipur, Modi expressed concern that these songs were reminiscent of the dreaded ‘jungle raj’ period. He specifically highlighted a viral Magahi track, “Bhaiya ke aave de satta mein, utha leb ghar se re…,” as an example of the Mahagathbandhan’s (Opposition alliance) alleged use of fear-based messaging that invokes themes of violence and threats.
Leaders from the BJP and JD(U) quickly echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, urging voters to be cautious of a potential return to the disorder of the past. While music has always been a fixture in Bihar’s political arena, the current election cycle is witnessing an explosion of viral Bhojpuri and Magahi songs disseminated across digital platforms. These songs often incorporate caste-specific references, mock political rivals, and contain veiled warnings. Though many of these tracks are implicitly or explicitly linked to the RJD, the party has stated they are not official campaign material. Nonetheless, songs such as “RJD sarkar banto Yadav rangdaar banto…” by Amit Aashiq, which went viral in connection with an event featuring individuals with firearms, and Mithilesh Halchal’s “Lalu ji ke laalten, Tejashwi ji ke tel…” have become unofficial rallying cries. Other popular songs like Gandhi Lal Yadav’s “bhaiya ke aave de satta, utha lebau ghar se re…” and Roshan Rohi’s “Ban jo chhaudi Tejashwi Yadav ke jaan…” are widely circulated. Even established artists like Khesari Lal Yadav have released music supporting Tejashwi Yadav’s campaign, signaling the growing importance of this medium. Political observers are divided on the influence these songs might have. Some suggest the BJP is using this strategy to evoke memories of past violence and consolidate votes around law and order, similar to their approach in Uttar Pradesh. Others believe these songs are largely perceived as entertainment by voters and are unlikely to sway electoral decisions, especially among younger demographics who lack firsthand experience of the earlier ‘jungle raj.’ This election presents a unique battle where the sonic landscape, dominated by provocative lyrics, may prove as impactful as traditional campaign speeches and manifestos in shaping public opinion.