The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election has resulted in a resounding victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), redrawing the political map of the state and signaling a significant shift in voter preferences. The mandate, delivered between November 6 and 11, saw the NDA secure a decisive lead, leaving the opposition Mahagathbandhan trailing significantly. The counting of votes concluded on November 14, revealing the extent of the NDA's triumph.

Key Highlights of the Election

• Landslide Victory for NDA: The NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and including the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], along with allies such as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)], Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAMS], and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), secured a comfortable majority in the 243-member assembly. Trends indicate the alliance is set to secure over 200 seats.
• BJP Emerges Stronger: The BJP has emerged as the single largest party within the NDA, solidifying its position in the state's political landscape. The party was either leading or had won 93 seats with a 20.5 percent vote share.
• JD(U)'s Crucial Role: As a key constituent of the NDA, the JD(U) has played a vital role in the alliance's success. The JD(U) was either leading or had won 83 seats with 19 percent of the overall votes.
• Mahagathbandhan's Struggle: The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (INC), struggled to gain traction, falling far short of expectations. The RJD was leading in 26 seats with 22.8 percent of the vote, while the Congress had won or was leading in only five seats with 8.7 percent of the vote.
• LJP(RV)'s Impact: Chirag Paswan's LJP(RV) proved to be a significant player, exceeding expectations and bolstering the NDA's performance. The LJP(RV) had won or was ahead in 19 seats.
• High Voter Turnout: The election witnessed a high voter turnout of 67.1%, the highest since 1951, signaling increased civic engagement and a more inclusive electoral process.
• Women and Youth Voters: Strong participation from women and young voters played a crucial role in shaping the election results, reinforcing welfare-centric narratives.

Factors Behind the NDA's Victory

Several factors contributed to the NDA's resounding success in the 2025 Bihar elections:

• Meticulous Seat Sharing: The NDA's well-defined seat-sharing arrangement among alliance partners ensured a cohesive and coordinated campaign.
• Broadened Caste Coalition: The NDA successfully expanded its social base by appealing to women and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), disrupting traditional caste-based voting patterns.
• "Double-Engine" Governance Narrative: The NDA effectively communicated its development agenda, emphasizing the benefits of a "double-engine government" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
• Focus on Stability and Development: The NDA's campaign focused on promises of stability, development, and improved governance, resonating with voters seeking progress and prosperity.
• Concerns over "Jungle Raj": The NDA capitalized on lingering concerns about past lawlessness, effectively reminding voters of the "Jungle Raj" era and portraying itself as the guarantor of law and order.

The Opposition's Performance

The Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav, failed to mount a strong challenge to the NDA. Despite retaining a significant vote share, the RJD saw its seat tally decline substantially. The Congress party's performance was particularly disappointing, with its seat share dwindling significantly.

The Road Ahead

As the NDA prepares to form the government, it faces the task of fulfilling its promises and addressing the aspirations of the people of Bihar. With a strong mandate and a stable coalition, the government is well-positioned to pursue its development agenda and steer the state towards progress and prosperity. The opposition, meanwhile, will need to regroup and reassess its strategy to remain relevant in Bihar's evolving political landscape.