The Harisiddhi Assembly seat in East Champaran, Bihar, has always been a ground of change. This is the same region where Gandhi’s Satyagraha began, adding historic importance. Yet, in politics, Harisiddhi tells another story. The seat changes hands almost every election, making it one of the most unpredictable constituencies in Bihar. Gandhi’s Satyagraha connects deeply with the people, but power rarely stays with one leader for long.
Congress veteran Hidayatullah Khan was the only leader to secure repeated wins, including three in a row. After 1990, however, no party or leader has managed to dominate. Congress faded, regional socialist parties rose and fell, and later the BJP gained strength. In 2008, when the seat was reserved for Scheduled Castes, the political balance shifted again.
Krishnanandan Paswan first won in 2010, lost in 2015, but returned victorious in 2020. Today, he also serves as Bihar’s Industries Minister. The seat’s voters include Dalits, Muslims, and OBCs, whose caste equations decide results. With over 2.8 lakh voters, men and women are nearly equal in number.
Despite promises, roads, bridges, and markets remain incomplete. Agriculture still dominates, and vegetable markets are underdeveloped. This mix of history, caste, and development gaps ensures Harisiddhi’s elections remain fiercely contested.
