Patna, India – In his first public response to the Congress party's dismal performance in the Bihar Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi has described the outcome as "surprising," alleging that the electoral contest "was not fair from the very beginning".

The results of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, which saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure a decisive victory with 202 seats in the 243-member Assembly, have prompted strong reactions from opposition leaders. The Congress, a key member of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), managed to win only a small number of seats, contributing to the alliance's overall defeat.

Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the voters in Bihar who placed their trust in the Mahagathbandhan. However, he also stated that the results were unexpected and that the party could not achieve victory in an election that he believes lacked fairness from the outset.

In a post on X, Gandhi linked the election outcome to a broader ideological struggle, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Constitution and democracy. He affirmed that the Congress party and the INDIA alliance will conduct a thorough review of the election results to refine their strategies for safeguarding democracy.

Political analysts suggest that Gandhi's remarks signal the beginning of a challenging period of introspection for the Congress, which has struggled to maintain its political influence in Bihar, a state where it once held a dominant position. The party's performance in this election is likely to raise questions about its campaign strategy, alliance management, and connection with the electorate.

The NDA's victory has been attributed by Prime Minister Modi to a new "MY" formula, representing Mahila (women) and Youth. This suggests a strategic focus on these demographics by the NDA, which may have contributed to their success.

The Congress and the broader INDIA alliance now face the task of analyzing the factors that led to their defeat and devising strategies to regain political ground in future elections. Gandhi's statement underscores the importance of addressing concerns about the fairness of the electoral process and reinforcing the commitment to democratic principles.