Published: November 14, 2025, 7:26 PM IST

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) sweeping victory in the Bihar Assembly elections with a symbolic gesture that quickly became the talk of the day. Arriving at the BJP national headquarters in New Delhi on Friday evening, Modi entered the venue around 7 pm waving a “gamchha,” a traditional scarf adorned with Madhubani artwork from Bihar’s Mithila region, declaring, in his signature colloquial style, “garda uda diya” — meaning “blew the dust away.”

The celebration was both visual and symbolic. The gamchha, traditionally associated with the people of Bihar, became a potent emblem of cultural pride as Modi waved it energetically, connecting the state’s heritage with the NDA’s political triumph. In a moment that captured both the joy of victory and a nod to local traditions, the Prime Minister’s gesture highlighted the celebratory mood in the party after the election results overwhelmingly favored the NDA.

In a series of posts on X, Modi described the outcome as a “victory of good governance.” Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U), the NDA secured a commanding majority, leading on or winning approximately 200 of the 243 seats in the Bihar Vidhan Sabha. According to the Election Commission’s latest data, this marked the alliance’s best-ever performance in the state, underscoring its strong electoral appeal and public approval.

“Victory of development has been achieved. Victory of the spirit of public welfare has been achieved. Victory of social justice has been achieved,” Modi wrote in one of his posts, framing the win not merely as a political triumph but as an endorsement of governance, inclusive policies, and developmental vision. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Bihar, noting, “My deepest gratitude to the family members of Bihar, who have blessed the NDA with a historic and unprecedented victory in the 2025 assembly elections. This resounding public mandate will empower us to serve the people and work with new resolve for Bihar.”

The Prime Minister also extended thanks to NDA allies and highlighted the collaborative effort behind the victory. He tagged key partners, including Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha, appreciating their contributions and describing the win as a product of collective leadership and shared vision. “The NDA has ensured all-round development of the state. The people have given us a massive majority after witnessing our track record and our vision to take the state to new heights. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji and our NDA family colleagues for this resounding victory,” Modi wrote.

Earlier, the BJP Bihar X handle posted a photograph showing Modi alongside Nitish Kumar, framing the election success as a triumph of the “jodi,” the duo whose leadership had steered the alliance to a record-breaking mandate. The post emphasized the combination of Modi’s national leadership and Nitish Kumar’s regional governance as central to the party’s achievement, reflecting a narrative of synergy between central and state-level administration.

Political observers noted that the Prime Minister’s gesture with the gamchha, combined with his colloquial phrase “garda uda diya,” was emblematic of his style of connecting with voters. By adopting local idioms and showcasing cultural symbols, Modi reinforced a narrative of grassroots engagement, blending the celebratory energy of a political win with the symbolic affirmation of Bihar’s identity.

The scale of the NDA’s victory also underscores a broader trend in Bihar politics. Analysts suggest that the electorate rewarded the alliance’s focus on development, governance, and public welfare over identity-based or fragmented political strategies. Modi’s emphasis on development, social justice, and public service in his posts reflects a deliberate framing of the win as an affirmation of policies rather than purely electoral strategy.

The record-breaking win also strengthens the NDA’s ability to implement its developmental agenda in Bihar. With a strong mandate in the assembly, the alliance is positioned to pursue policy initiatives aimed at infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment generation. Modi’s celebration, therefore, was not just about electoral success but also an opportunity to signal the party’s readiness to translate the mandate into tangible action for the state’s citizens.

By linking the gamchha—a cultural artifact of Mithila—and Madhubani art to the celebration, Modi also reinforced the importance of regional identity within a national victory. This symbolic gesture highlights a conscious effort to celebrate Bihar’s heritage while asserting political triumph, an approach that blends cultural recognition with political messaging.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister’s celebration at the BJP headquarters, marked by the waving of a gamchha and the declaration of “garda uda diya,” reflected a combination of joy, cultural pride, and political narrative. The NDA’s historic victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, led by a coalition under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, not only demonstrated widespread public support but also reaffirmed the alliance’s developmental vision and governance-oriented strategy. The event encapsulated both the celebratory spirit of the moment and the broader message of inclusive development, social justice, and public welfare that the NDA intends to carry forward in Bihar.