Patna, Nov 14 (UNI) The strategic campaign crafted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Nitish Kumar’s undisputed leadership, and Chirag Paswan’s ability to shift the Paswan vote bank (5-6%) to alliance partners together fashioned the ruling NDA’s landslide win in the Bihar Assembly elections.
Out of the 243 assembly seats, the NDA looks set to win over 202 with the BJP winning 89, JD(U) 84, LJP(RV) 19, HAM 5 and RLM 4.
In recent months, PM Modi’s announcement of several major infrastructure projects set the stage for an energetic campaign by him, Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders. The BJP’s invocation of “jungle raj” and Nitish Kumar’s contrasting image as “Sushasan Babu”, the leader credited with pulling Bihar out of that era, also seem to have played key roles in the verdict.
Good governance and two decades of development under Nitish Kumar emerged as significant factors as well. Bihar has made progress in road expansion (over 1,00,000 km), electricity coverage (95%), and education. Development initiatives such as smart city projects and new expressways have helped boost the rural economy.
The results reaffirmed Nitish Kumar’s broad acceptability across communities. While keeping the Extremely Backward Classes (36%) united through reservation and welfare schemes, he also built a distinct and influential constituency among women, who constitute nearly 48% of the electorate. Although questions were raised about his age and health during the campaign, he convincingly disproved every narrative against him.
After the NDA’s victory, Nitish Kumar posted a message on social media: “By giving us a massive majority in the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2025, the people of the state have shown confidence in our government. I salute and sincerely thank all the respected voters of the state.”
He added, “I bow to and sincerely thank the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for his cooperation. The NDA alliance has shown complete unity in this election and has achieved a huge majority. For this massive victory, I also thank and express gratitude to all NDA partners. With everyone’s cooperation, Bihar will progress further and will be included among the most developed states of the country.”
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan also played a crucial role in the NDA’s impressive performance. He strengthened the alliance by consolidating the Paswan vote bank and successfully transferring it to partner parties. His wide acceptance within a significant section of the Dalit community (16%) has further boosted his political stature.
In the 2020 Assembly elections, Chirag Paswan’s LJP had contested independently and secured 11% of the vote. Due to tensions with Nitish Kumar, the party fielded candidates against JDU nominees, contributing to JD(U)’s defeat in around 33 constituencies.
