The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a resounding victory in Bihar on Friday, delivering a decisive blow to the Opposition’s Grand Alliance and reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity in India’s third-most populous state. The five-party coalition secured more than 200 of the 243 assembly seats, marking its best performance in the state since 2010 and cementing a remarkable political comeback for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is set to be sworn in for a record 10th term and a consecutive fifth term.

How the NDA Won Big

The NDA’s triumph defied two decades of anti-incumbency in Bihar through a combination of cash transfers, welfare outreach, disciplined campaigning, and the enduring goodwill of Nitish Kumar among marginalized communities. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded its highest vote share and second-highest seat tally in Bihar, a state where it has never previously held the chief ministership.

Nitish Kumar’s key ally, the Janata Dal (United), capitalized on its reputation for corruption-free governance and the chief minister’s legacy, registering its best performance in 15 years. Other coalition partners, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, also performed strongly, transforming a predicted comfortable win into a near two-thirds majority for the alliance. This marks only the second time in Bihar’s history that the NDA has crossed the 200-seat mark.

Prime Minister Modi hailed the victory on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Good governance has won. Development has won. Pro-people spirit has won. Social justice has won. Gratitude to each and every person of Bihar for blessing the NDA with a historic and unparalleled victory.”

Opposition Crumbles

The Opposition Grand Alliance suffered a humiliating defeat, reduced to just 35 seats—its worst showing in 15 years. The campaign of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) failed to resonate, hampered by internal disputes and a lackluster strategy. Senior leaders struggled to retain their traditional strongholds, and the party’s core Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) vote base showed signs of erosion, creating an existential threat for the once-dominant regional powerhouse.

The Congress, which contested 61 seats, won only six, further weakening its standing within the INDIA alliance and diminishing its influence in national politics. Strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, projected as the third force in the elections, failed to win a single seat despite contesting 238 constituencies, demonstrating the gap between media hype and ground-level support.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the result as “surprising” and vowed to review the outcome to make future efforts “even more effective” in defending democracy. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the RJD for overconfidence, stating that the party’s failure to engage voters humbly had contributed to its collapse.

Factors Behind the NDA’s Success

Observers point to several reasons for the NDA’s spectacular performance:

• Cash Transfers and Welfare Initiatives: Targeted payments to women and other welfare programs built trust among grassroots voters.
• Smart Campaigning: The NDA successfully turned the elections into a referendum on 15 years of RJD rule, highlighting issues of governance, infrastructure, and development.
• Nitish Kumar’s Leadership: The chief minister’s personal goodwill, credibility, and consistent focus on governance earned him cross-sectional support from various castes, regions, and communities.
• Opposition Fragmentation: The Grand Alliance’s infighting and inability to present a unified front allowed the NDA to consolidate its vote base.

The campaign took place amid controversy over the SIR (Special Intensive Revision), which removed nearly 6.9 million names from the electoral rolls and added 2.15 million, with the opposition alleging voter disenfranchisement. Despite this, the electorate remained focused on material issues such as infrastructure, employment, and welfare, reflecting voters’ pragmatic approach.

Implications for National Politics

The Bihar result closes a landmark year for the BJP, following its triumph over the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi and strong performances in Haryana and Maharashtra. The victory strengthens Modi’s standing within the NDA, consolidates the central government’s position, and generates political momentum ahead of crucial state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry in 2026.

Modi linked Bihar’s success to future efforts in other states, asserting: “The Ganga flows from Bihar to West Bengal. And the river has already paved the way for BJP’s victory in Bengal. I assure the people in Bengal that BJP will now work with you to end the Jungle Raj in Bengal.”

Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) Re-Emerge Stronger

The JD(U) recorded its best electoral performance in 15 years, recovering from just 43 seats in the previous assembly. The results reinforced Nitish Kumar’s stature as one of India’s most influential regional leaders, capable of uniting diverse communities and delivering consistent governance.

Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) also made an impression, with its strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections translating into a credible state-level presence. The results demonstrated the continuing relevance of strategic, ground-level campaigning over media-driven narratives.

Public Celebrations and Political Atmosphere

Celebrations erupted across NDA strongholds. In Patna, workers danced in the streets, smeared ‘gulal,’ and distributed sweets, while in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi led jubilant gatherings at BJP offices. In contrast, the mood at RJD and Congress offices was somber, reflecting a campaign that had failed to resonate with voters and a coalition that was unable to capitalize on its earlier momentum.

Conclusion

Bihar’s 2025 assembly elections mark a historic consolidation for the NDA, combining electoral strategy, effective governance, and charismatic leadership to achieve a resounding mandate. For the Opposition, the outcome signals the urgent need to rethink strategy, leadership, and voter engagement in a state that has long been central to India’s political landscape. The victory underscores Nitish Kumar’s enduring appeal, Modi’s influence, and the NDA’s ability to translate governance and welfare into electoral success.