In a development that has stirred both political and public interest, Divya Gautam, cousin of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has been fielded by the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation [CPI(ML)] from Patna’s Digha Assembly constituency for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections 2025.
Divya’s candidacy has become a talking point not just because of her family’s connection to the late actor, but also due to her own impressive academic and political credentials.
A Mass Communication graduate from Patna College, Patna University, Divya has been active in student politics since her college days. In 2012, she contested the Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) elections for the post of President on an All India Students’ Association (AISA) ticket and secured the second position — a strong performance that marked her as a rising face of the student movement in Bihar.
Her political journey, however, runs parallel with academic excellence. Divya cleared the 64th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination in her very first attempt and was selected for the post of Supply Inspector, though she chose not to take up the role. She is also UGC-NET qualified and currently pursuing her PhD, underscoring her reputation as a scholar with a social conscience.
The Digha constituency, currently held by BJP MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, witnessed a strong Left performance in the 2020 Assembly polls, when CPI(ML)’s Shashi Yadav secured 50,971 votes against Chaurasia’s 97,044.
With the NDA’s seat-sharing formula already finalised and the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) still fine-tuning its allocations, the CPI(ML)’s decision to field Divya is being seen as a strategic move to inject youthful energy and grassroots credibility into its campaign.
Political observers believe Divya’s academic background, coupled with her connection to a widely admired public figure like Sushant Singh Rajput, could give her an edge in appealing to both the youth and the middle-class voter base in urban Patna.
The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 will be held in two phases — November 6 and November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.
