Bhubaneswar: A landmark political victory, the NDA alliance has swept the Bihar Assembly elections, leaving the Opposition bloc — including Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Prashant Kishor — visibly stunned by the outcome. The results not only overturned most exit poll predictions but also reaffirmed Nitish Kumar’s enduring influence in Bihar’s political landscape.
Nitish Kumar Becomes CM for the 10th Time
With this win, Nitish Kumar is set to become the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time, an extraordinary record in Indian politics. For decades, Bihar’s political identity has been intertwined with Kumar’s leadership. His governance model — marked by welfare schemes, rural reforms, women-centric policies, and administrative stability — once again proved decisive.
BJP Gains Significantly, Outperforming RJD
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has registered a stronger vote share and more seats than the RJD, signalling a dramatic consolidation of support across both urban and rural belts. The performance also comes as a major morale booster for the BJP after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party fell short of its ‘400 paar’ target and ended at 240 seats.
Bihar was among the states where the BJP had underperformed in 2024, along with Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. This assembly result now marks a robust comeback for the party in one of India’s most politically crucial states.
Women Voters Turn the Tide
A key force behind this sweeping mandate has been women voters, who have emerged as one of the most influential blocs in Bihar. The ₹10,000 direct cash transfer scheme for women voters, launched ahead of the elections, proved to be a game changer.
Additionally, beneficiaries of schemes such as:
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Jivika Didi self-help groups,
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Women livelihood missions, and
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Free or subsidised electricity schemes such as 125 units free power for rural households,
played a pivotal role in turning the electoral tide in favour of the NDA.
Opposition Leaders Caught Off Guard
The Opposition, which ran an aggressive campaign and was confident of closing the gap this time, has been left completely off balance. Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who had sharply criticised NDA policies in Bihar, was also taken by surprise by the scale of the mandate.
Impact on National Politics
The Bihar result is expected to have significant implications for national politics, especially as the BJP and NDA prepare for future state elections. A strong performance in Bihar strengthens the ruling alliance at the Centre and restores momentum after a challenging 2024 Lok Sabha outcome.
Moreover, Nitish Kumar holding a crucial part of the BJP-led Central coalition adds further stability within the alliance, ensuring strategic advantages for governance and policy planning.
-OdishaAge
