Updated: November 14, 2025, 8:18 PM IST

In a resounding endorsement of development-driven politics, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, leaving the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan grappling with an unprecedented defeat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a gathering at the BJP headquarters following the election results, outlined what he described as the NDA’s “new MY formula,” signaling a strategic shift in political discourse and voter engagement in the state.

The Bihar Assembly elections concluded with the NDA capturing 202 seats, a commanding majority that dwarfed the Mahagathbandhan’s tally of just 35 seats. The results represent a significant setback for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its allies, who have long relied on a traditional votebank strategy centered around the ‘MY formula’—Muslims and Yadavs. In his address, Prime Minister Modi took aim at this approach, suggesting that Bihar’s electorate had moved decisively beyond caste- and religion-based politics in favor of a development-centric vision.

Speaking to party workers and supporters at the BJP headquarters, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the role of women and youth in shaping the electoral outcome. “There is an old saying, ‘loha lohe ko katta hai’,” he remarked, referring to the historical notion of political forces countering one another through entrenched loyalties and alliances. He noted that some parties in Bihar had relied on an old ‘MY formula’ that, according to him, emphasized appeasement and narrow political calculations. The NDA’s victory, he said, heralded a new, positive “MY formula” that focuses on the aspirations of Mahila (women) and Yuva (youth).

The Prime Minister emphasized the broad-based nature of this political shift. “Today, Bihar is among those states of the country which have the highest number of youth, and this includes youth from every religion and every caste. Their desire, their aspiration, and their dreams have completely destroyed the old communal MY formula of the Jungle Raj people,” he stated, drawing a stark contrast between the NDA’s inclusive development agenda and what he described as the RJD’s divisive past.

During the election campaign, the BJP repeatedly highlighted what it termed the failures of the previous RJD-led governments, often referring to the period as ‘Jungle Raj.’ Prime Minister Modi revisited this narrative in his post-election address, recalling incidents of violence, electoral malpractices, and administrative inefficiency that, he argued, characterized the Mahagathbandhan’s rule in Bihar. “During Jungle Raj in Bihar, polling booths used to be vandalized openly, ballot boxes were stolen, and governance was marred by disorder,” he said. In contrast, the recent election witnessed a record voter turnout of 67.13 percent—the highest in the state since 1951—demonstrating the electorate’s renewed engagement with the democratic process.

Prime Minister Modi also targeted the RJD’s reliance on what he termed the ‘katta sarkar,’ a phrase often used to denote governments associated with lawlessness and corruption. He reaffirmed that the people of Bihar had decisively rejected this model. “When I used to speak about Jungle Raj and Katta Sarkar in Bihar elections, the RJD party raised no objections. However, this made the Congress uneasy. Today, I want to reiterate that Katta Sarkar will never return to Bihar. The people of Bihar have voted for Viksit Bihar,” he declared, linking the NDA’s victory directly to a mandate for development, governance, and public welfare.

The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored a broader political narrative that the BJP and its allies have cultivated over the years: that of a governance-focused agenda transcending caste and religion. By framing the victory in terms of a new “MY formula,” the NDA appears to be positioning itself as a party that empowers women and youth, thereby appealing to a demographic that is both numerically significant and politically assertive. Analysts suggest that this strategy reflects a long-term recalibration of electoral tactics in Bihar, moving away from narrow identity-based politics toward inclusive development messaging.

Women’s participation, in particular, emerged as a decisive factor in the electoral outcome. Reports from the election indicated a strong presence of female voters at polling booths, signaling a shift in political engagement among women. Prime Minister Modi’s focus on Mahila in his “MY formula” reflects the BJP’s recognition of this demographic’s increasing influence in state and national politics. Similarly, Bihar’s youth population, which constitutes a substantial portion of the electorate, played a crucial role in determining the outcome. Their aspirations for employment, education, and infrastructure development, Modi noted, were central to the NDA’s victory.

The defeat of the Mahagathbandhan, especially the RJD, is widely seen as a referendum on the party’s reliance on traditional vote banks. By emphasizing Muslims and Yadavs as its primary electoral base, the RJD has historically consolidated support through community-specific appeals. However, the recent results suggest that voters are increasingly prioritizing governance, development, and public service over identity-based politics. Prime Minister Modi’s address highlighted this shift, framing the election outcome as a validation of inclusive development policies and a rejection of divisive political strategies.

Political analysts have observed that the NDA’s performance in Bihar is emblematic of a broader trend in Indian politics, where developmental narratives are gaining traction over traditional caste and community-centric campaigns. The Prime Minister’s invocation of the “new MY formula” serves not only as a post-election statement but also as a strategic framework for future electoral contests, signaling a reorientation of the party’s engagement with key demographic segments.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi also reflected on the electoral process itself, noting the historic voter turnout as a positive indicator of democratic participation. “This record turnout is a testament to the active engagement of the people of Bihar, who have exercised their franchise with enthusiasm and responsibility,” he remarked. By highlighting this aspect, Modi reinforced the legitimacy of the election results while emphasizing the participatory nature of India’s democracy.

The NDA’s victory has significant implications for Bihar’s political landscape. With a strong mandate, the alliance is positioned to implement its development agenda more effectively, focusing on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment generation. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on youth and women signals that these groups are likely to be central beneficiaries of forthcoming policies and programs.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s post-election address at the BJP headquarters following the NDA’s historic win in Bihar underscored several key themes: the rejection of caste- and religion-based politics, the triumph of development-oriented governance, and the empowerment of women and youth. By framing the electoral outcome as the emergence of a new “MY formula,” Modi not only highlighted the strategic dimensions of the victory but also laid out a vision for inclusive, forward-looking politics in Bihar. The resounding mandate in favor of the NDA marks a turning point in the state’s political history, offering a clear signal that voters are prioritizing progress, stability, and inclusive development over traditional vote-bank strategies.

As Bihar moves forward under the NDA’s leadership, all eyes will be on the implementation of development programs and policies that reflect the aspirations of women and youth, the demographic pillars of the new “MY formula.” The election results, Prime Minister Modi asserted, are not merely a political victory—they represent a broader societal shift toward governance, empowerment, and a vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ in the heart of eastern India.

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