The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has stormed to a resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, leading in over 190 of the 243 seats as counting trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI) solidify a two-thirds majority far exceeding the 122-seat threshold required to form the government. This emphatic mandate, announced amid celebrations across the state, positions Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for a historic tenth term, underscoring voter confidence in the alliance’s track record on development, women’s welfare schemes, and administrative stability after two decades in power. With a record voter turnout of 66.91%—the highest since 1951—the results reflect a clear rejection of opposition narratives, emphasizing the NDA’s ability to consolidate diverse caste and gender support for continued progress in one of India’s most populous states.
NDA’s Dominant Breakdown: BJP and JD(U) Lead the Charge
Election Commission data reveals the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spearheading the NDA’s surge with leads in 85-91 seats, closely followed by Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) at 75-81, showcasing a balanced power-sharing dynamic within the alliance. Smaller partners like Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP(RV)) are leading in 21-22 seats, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) in 4-5, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) in 2-3, collectively pushing the NDA tally to 189-200 seats in early-to-mid rounds. This performance surpasses even the most optimistic exit polls, which had projected 121-167 seats, and signals a consolidation of upper castes, OBCs, EBCs, and a significant women’s vote bank—driven by schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samriddhi Yojana providing Rs 10,000 annual aid to over 75 lakh beneficiaries. The NDA’s “Sushasan 2.0” campaign, focusing on infrastructure, job creation, and anti-corruption measures, has evidently resonated, positioning Bihar for accelerated economic reforms and reduced migration.
Mahagathbandhan’s Disappointing Show: RJD Carries the Load
In stark contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan has struggled to mount a credible challenge, leading in just 38-50 seats—a sharp decline from its 110 in 2020—highlighting internal fissures and failure to expand beyond core Muslim-Yadav (MY) vote banks. RJD, under Tejashwi Yadav, is ahead in 26-36 constituencies, bearing the alliance’s weight, while the Indian National Congress (INC) manages a meager 4-7 leads, reflecting its diminished organizational strength in the state. Left allies like CPI(ML) Liberation secure 5-7 seats, with CPI(M) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) at 1 each, but the bloc’s overall 41-50 seat projection falls short of hopes for an upset. Despite youth mobilization on unemployment—where first-time voters aged 18-29 favored the opposition at 44-46%—the Mahagathbandhan’s inability to counter NDA’s welfare narrative and address caste arithmetic has led to this rout, prompting calls for strategic overhaul to regain relevance in Bihar’s polarized politics.
Record Turnout and Key Demographic Shifts: Women’s Vote Seals NDA Win
Bihar’s electorate delivered a historic verdict with 66.91% turnout across two phases on November 6 and 11, 2025, where women outnumbered men by over 4.3 lakh votes despite fewer on rolls—their 69-74% participation tilting scales toward NDA. Exit polls had hinted at this, with women favoring Nitish Kumar at 45% due to gender-centric schemes, while youth and unemployed (49% for Mahagathbandhan) highlighted persistent economic challenges. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), in its debut, concedes with 0-2 leads, polling less than NOTA, underscoring the bipolar dominance. AIMIM leads in 5 seats in Muslim-heavy Seemanchal, but fails to dent opposition consolidation. This outcome reinforces NDA’s governance model, demanding sustained focus on employment generation and inclusive growth to sustain the momentum.
Implications for Bihar’s Future: Stability Amid Calls for Reforms
With NDA’s landslide, Nitish Kumar’s “10 baar, Nitish Kumar sarkar” slogan materializes, promising continuity in “Sushasan” while addressing opposition critiques on jobs and migration affecting over 20 lakh youth annually. The Mahagathbandhan’s poor showing raises questions on alliance cohesion, with Tejashwi Yadav trailing in family bastion Raghopur before regaining slim leads. As final results finalize, Bihar stands at a pivotal juncture: leveraging this mandate for industrial revival, skill development, and equitable welfare to transform from a “BIMARU” state to an economic powerhouse, ensuring accountability and progress for its 13 crore residents.
