Sun Sep 21 01:24:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by its transformation into a news article:

**Summary:**

This article is an interview with Sanjay Kumar Jha, President of the JD(U) party in Bihar, India, conducted by The Hindu newspaper ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Jha defends the JD(U)’s governance record under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, highlighting improvements in law and order, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment. He addresses concerns about economic inequality, the electoral roll revision process, the JD(U)’s declining seat count, and speculation about Nitish Kumar’s health and potential successor. Jha expresses confidence in the JD(U)’s performance in the upcoming elections, attributing past setbacks to specific circumstances and emphasizing the strength of the NDA alliance. He also touches upon the impact of prohibition, seat-sharing talks, and the potential influence of political strategist Prashant Kishor.

**News Article:**

**JD(U) Confident of Retaining Power in Bihar Despite Economic Woes, Declining Seat Count**

**New Delhi – September 21, 2025** – As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, Sanjay Kumar Jha, President of the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], exuded confidence in the party’s ability to retain power despite facing challenges like economic inequality and a declining seat count in recent polls.

In an exclusive interview with *The Hindu*, Jha defended the JD(U)’s two-decade governance record under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, emphasizing significant improvements in law and order, infrastructure development, and women’s empowerment initiatives like the “Jeevika” self-help groups.

“Nitish Kumar has changed Bihar’s face,” Jha asserted, pointing to improved roads and the eradication of the perceived “Jungle Raj” of previous administrations. He highlighted that after establishing a strong foundation for development in the last 20 years with the support of a ‘double-engine’ government, that investments are flowing and that industrial land has been acquired in 30 of Bihar’s districts.

Addressing concerns raised by a recent caste survey showing significant economic hardship in the state, with over a third of households earning meager income, Jha acknowledged the need for more investment and industry but insisted that progress is being made.

He dismissed opposition claims that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a form of “vote theft,” asserting that it is a routine process aimed at cleaning up the rolls and has had no impact on voters in Bihar.

Regarding the JD(U)’s reduced seat count in the 2020 elections, Jha attributed it to specific circumstances, including a former NDA ally contesting against them, covert support from a section of the BJP, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed confidence that the NDA alliance, and the JD(U) in particular, would perform well in the upcoming polls.

Jha also addressed speculation about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s health and potential successor, firmly stating that Kumar is “perfectly fine” and remains the undisputed leader of the alliance. He also rejected suggestions of potential instability within the alliance, stating that seat-sharing talks would be concluded amicably.

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