In the recent Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a decisive victory, exceeding even pre-election projections. Credible sources suggest that Union Home Minister Amit Shah played a pivotal role in this triumph, turning around what some considered "aggrieved souls" within the party and its allies.
Shah, entrusted with steering the NDA to success, immersed himself in the Bihar election landscape for 19 days. During this time, he engaged closely with party workers and meticulously crafted a ground strategy that helped position the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the single largest party in Bihar. Shah ensured the implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He examined every electoral nuance, from shaping an acceptable seat-sharing arrangement to spreading a pro-incumbency wave through targeted outreach to women ("Nari Shakti") and youth ("Yuva Shakti").
Sources indicate that Shah held five divisional-level meetings, five district-level meetings, addressed 35 rallies drawing massive crowds, and conducted one roadshow between September 17 and November 9. In total, he participated in 46 events, energizing party workers and giving the BJP and other NDA allies a significant advantage. A key aspect of Shah's strategy involved calming disgruntled members within the BJP who threatened to undermine the party's prospects. Reports suggest that as many as 100 BJP rebels were working against the party's interests before Shah's intervention.
Shah met with each of these individuals, discussing strategy and political prospects, and managed to persuade them to abandon their rebellious stance and align with the BJP's direction. This effort proved highly effective, helping the BJP win crucial seats. A senior figure associated with Shah's team noted that this reconciliation was a major factor that gave an edge to BJP and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) candidates. Sources also highlight Shah's role in smoothing relations between the JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)), coordinating efforts to help both parties overcome past political bitterness.
Known for his meticulous approach to election tasks, Shah not only campaigned and coordinated ground strategy with NDA partners but also researched how to counter the opposition's narratives on various issues, including employment. His strategic moves significantly undercut the opposition's messaging. Shah asserted that the election would mark a new beginning for the people of Bihar, washing out the influence of certain political families.
The NDA's performance exceeded expectations, with leads crossing 200 seats, surpassing even Shah's initial forecast of 160 seats. The BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 89 seats, while its ally, the JD(U), secured 85 seats. The LJP(RV) bagged 19 seats. In contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan trailed, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leading in 25 seats and the Indian National Congress (INC) securing only 6. The Congress party experienced one of its steepest declines in Bihar, with a significantly reduced conversion rate of seats contested to seats won. Tejashwi Yadav, despite winning his home seat of Raghopur, saw his alliance fall short of the majority mark.
Amit Shah hailed the NDA's victory as a mandate for "politics of performance" and a rejection of what he termed "jungle raj" and appeasement politics. He credited Prime Minister Modi's work in the state and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's efforts to pull Bihar out of darkness. Shah also emphasized the importance of voter-list purification, suggesting that the Congress's decline reflected a rejection of politics against it. He assured the people of Bihar that the NDA government would fulfill its mandate with dedication, focusing on development, women's safety, good governance, and the welfare of the poor.
