NDA sweeps Bihar elections, wins 202 out of 243 seats; BJP emerges as largest party with 89 seats

NEW DELHI: The NDA retained power in Bihar with a massive victory, defeating the opposition Grand Alliance. Out of 243 assembly seats, the NDA won 202. The BJP emerged as the largest party with 89 seats, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) bagged 85. Nitish Kumar, who played a crucial role in the victory, is expected to continue as Chief Minister for a sixth consecutive term. Alliance partners like the Lok Janshakti Party (19 seats), Hindustani Awam Morcha (5), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (4) also played key roles in the NDA’s victory.

The Grand Alliance suffered severe setbacks. The RJD, which was the single largest party in 2020 with 75 seats, collapsed to just 25. The Congress, which had 19 seats earlier, was reduced to six, completing its downfall. Left parties managed only three seats, while Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM won six, splitting the Muslim vote bank that once backed the RJD.

Cracks in the vote base

• Rahul Gandhi’s claims about “vote theft” failed to sway voters. His joint campaign with Tejashwi Yadav after the Voter Adhikar Yatra came too late.
• Disputes over seat sharing and the delay in declaring Tejashwi as the chief ministerial candidate caused disunity.
• Allegations against the SIR turned against the Grand Alliance.
• The traditional Muslim–Yadav vote bank of the RJD split, and other communities turned away. AIMIM divided Muslim votes in the Mithilanchal and Magadh regions.
• Small allies like Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party and the Indian Inclusive Party failed to attract expected backward-class support.
• The Grand Alliance’s promise of jobs did not appeal to young voters. Although Tejashwi Yadav gained acceptance as a leader, voters placed greater trust in Nitish Kumar’s development and welfare programs.

NDA’s strengths and achievements

• Nitish Kumar’s image as a leader of development, driven by policies like free electricity and social welfare schemes.
• Strong support from extremely backward classes, consolidated through allies like the LJP, Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, helped secure Dalit votes.
• The NDA’s campaign warning that an RJD win would bring back “jungle raj,” lawlessness, migration, and crimes against women proved effective.

Women voters powered Nitish’s win
Women played a major role in giving Nitish Kumar’s government a record-breaking mandate in Bihar, with 5 percent more women voting than men. Two major welfare schemes launched by the Prime Minister in September — Mukhyamantri Rozgar Yojana, providing ₹10,000 annually to 7.5 million poor women, and Lakhpati Didi, offering interest-free loans and training to women entrepreneurs — helped mobilise strong female support. Nitish also revived the Jeevika program to empower poor women to earn a livelihood.

“Thanks to all the people who blessed the NDA with a historic victory,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The results show this was never a fair election from the beginning. Our thanks to all those who voted for the Grand Alliance,” said Rahul Gandhi.