Election Results 2025: Bihar's Political Map Redrawn – and BJP Now Sits at Its Centre

Patna, Bihar – The 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections have resulted in a sweeping victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA),significantly altering the state's political landscape. The NDA secured a decisive mandate, winning 202 seats in the 243-member assembly and pushing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to a record tenth term. For the first time, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in Bihar, a historic shift indicating a major realignment of political power.

The BJP's standout performance saw the party winning 89 seats, while its key ally, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], led by Nitish Kumar, secured 85 seats. Other NDA constituents, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJPRV], Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RSHTLKM), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAMS], won 19, 4, and 5 seats respectively, further contributing to the NDA's dominant position. This outcome marks the second time the NDA has crossed the 200-seat mark in Bihar, a feat previously achieved in the 2010 elections.

In contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan (MGB), which includes the Indian National Congress (INC), faced a significant setback. The MGB managed to secure only 35 seats, with the RJD winning 25 and the Congress only 6. This marks the RJD's second-worst showing in a Bihar election and their lowest seat count since 2005. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) [CPI(ML)(L)] won two seats and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] secured one.

Several factors contributed to the NDA's resounding victory. A meticulously crafted campaign focusing on stability, development, and inclusivity resonated strongly with voters. The NDA's narrative of a "double-engine government" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar proved particularly effective. The NDA also benefitted from a meticulously planned seat-sharing arrangement, ensuring a united front against the opposition. Both the BJP and JD(U) contested an equal number of seats (101 each) which indicated a historic power parity within the NDA.

Furthermore, the NDA successfully broadened its caste coalition, moving beyond traditional alignments. While Bihar politics historically hinged on the Muslim-Yadav (MY) alliance, a new dynamic emerged in 2025, emphasizing women and Economically Backward Classes (EBC). This "ME" factor significantly boosted the NDA's vote share. The BJP consolidated upper-caste support, while Nitish Kumar's JD(U) secured a strong base among Kurmis and EBCs, who constitute a substantial portion of Bihar's population.

Women voters played a crucial role in the NDA's victory. Since 2010, women's voter turnout has consistently increased, and in the 2025 elections, it exceeded that of men by a significant margin. Nitish Kumar's government has focused on cultivating women as a distinct vote bank through various policies and welfare measures, including free bicycles for schoolgirls and the implementation of a liquor prohibition law.

Despite the NDA's clear victory, the election was not without controversy. Allegations of irregularities in the electoral rolls, particularly concerning the deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), raised concerns about election integrity. It was estimated that around 1.75 million Muslims were excluded from the electoral rolls. In 11 constituencies, the number of voters removed from the rolls during the SIR exceeded the winner's margin of victory. The Election Commission of India (ECI) disputed the methodology used to arrive at this estimate but refused to reveal the caste and religious breakup of those who were excluded.

Looking ahead, Nitish Kumar is set to take the oath as Chief Minister for a record tenth time. The BJP's rise to prominence in Bihar's political landscape marks a significant shift, potentially influencing the state's future governance and policy directions. The NDA's victory is a testament to its effective campaign strategies, broader social outreach, and ability to connect with diverse segments of the electorate.