New Delhi: Jubilant scenes unfolded at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived, radiating elation, to celebrate the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. Waving a 'gamcha,' a traditional Indian towel, to the cheering crowd, the Prime Minister signaled a moment of triumph and gratitude. The NDA's performance, exceeding 200 seats in the 243-member assembly, has secured a commanding mandate for the ruling coalition.
The Prime Minister hailed the NDA's win as a victory for "good governance, development, public welfare, and social justice". He expressed his gratitude to the people of Bihar for blessing the NDA with a "historic and unprecedented victory" in the 2025 elections. Modi emphasized that this resounding mandate would empower them to serve the people and work with new resolve for Bihar.
The BJP is poised to emerge as the single-largest party within the NDA, strengthening its dominance alongside key allies such as Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)], Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAMS], and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). The NDA's success is attributed to a meticulously crafted seat-sharing formula and a broadened social coalition. This coalition appealed to a wider range of demographics, including women and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), creating a new 'ME' factor that significantly boosted the NDA's vote share.
The NDA's campaign focused on stability, development, and inclusivity, with the narrative of a "double-engine government" under PM Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resonating powerfully with voters. Nitish Kumar's enduring appeal and the resurgence of JD(U) significantly influenced the NDA's triumph. Despite concerns about his age and governance challenges, Kumar remains a trusted political figure in Bihar, often seen as synonymous with good governance and development.
The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), struggled to make inroads, leading in only around 30 seats. The Congress party faced a sharp decline, with its seat tally shrinking from 19 in 2020 to a mere 5. The Mahagathbandhan's campaign, which centered around allegations of "vote chori," failed to resonate with voters.
Several key candidates emerged victorious in this election. Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader, won his home seat of Raghopur. Singer Maithili Thakur, who made her poll debut on a BJP ticket, won from Alinagar and is on track to become the state's youngest MLA. BJP candidate Ram Kripal Yadav secured a win in Danapur.
A significant aspect of this election was the historic voter turnout of 67.14%, the highest ever recorded in the state. Women voters played a crucial role in the NDA's victory, with their turnout exceeding that of men in many districts. This surge in women voting particularly helped JD(U), driven by Nitish Kumar's welfare schemes targeting women.
The NDA's victory in Bihar underscores the importance of alliance consolidation and effective vote management. The NDA secured 47.2% of the vote, while the Mahagathbandhan obtained 37.3%, a significant gap that highlights the ruling coalition's dominance. As the celebrations continue, the NDA is preparing to form the government and continue its agenda of development and good governance in Bihar.
