Bihar’s latest assembly election has delivered one of the clearest political signals in recent years. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), anchored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is moving toward an overwhelming victory in a state where politics has historically swung between alliances.
With 74 million voters, two phases of polling, and a demographically young electorate, the Bihar election has been more than a regional battle—it has been a national barometer of political sentiment.
NDA’s Commanding Performance
As counting wrapped up on Friday, the NDA had already secured two seats and was leading in 204 of 243—a near-clean sweep.
A closer look inside the alliance:
- BJP: Leading/winning in 93 seats with a 20.5% vote share.
- JD(U): Dominant in 83 seats with 19% votes.
- LJPRV: Ahead in 19 seats.
- RSHTLKM: Leading in 4 seats.
- HAMS: Ahead in 5 seats.
The numbers reflect an alliance not just holding ground but expanding its footprint across rural and urban Bihar.
Opposition Left Struggling for Space
The Mahagathabandhan (Grand Alliance) has been pushed into a tight corner:
- RJD: Leading/winning in 26 seats with 22.8% votes.
- Congress: Ahead in only 5 constituencies.
- Left Parties: CPI(ML)(L) and CPI(M) leading in one seat each.
Other players on the field:
- BSP: Leading in one seat.
- AIMIM: Winning or leading in five constituencies.
For the opposition, the election has exposed structural weaknesses and a diminishing hold over key voter bases.
Key Contests: Raghopur and Alinagar Under the Spotlight
Two constituencies captured national attention:
Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur
Raghopur, the stronghold of the Yadav family, saw dramatic swings early in the day. Tejashwi Yadav briefly trailed BJP’s Satish Kumar before reclaiming a lead of nearly 13,000 votes.
A defeat here would have marked a historic upheaval for a legacy seat that both his parents once held multiple times.
Maithili Thakur in Alinagar
Folk singer–turned–BJP candidate Maithili Thakur held a strong lead over RJD’s Binod Mishra by over 8,500 votes.
Her rise reflects the growing appeal of fresh faces and cultural icons in electoral politics.
What Is Driving the NDA’s Massive Lead?
1. A Focused Appeal to Women Voters
One of the biggest shifts in Bihar’s political landscape has come from female voter participation. With nearly half the electorate being women, targeted welfare schemes have delivered significant returns.
The Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme—a direct transfer of 10,000 rupees to 7.5 million women—has been widely credited with influencing voter sentiment.
Women’s turnout this year: 71.6%, outpacing men at 62.8%.
Women are emerging not just as beneficiaries but as decisive political actors reshaping mandates.
2. Controversy Over Voter List Revisions
The opposition raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls requiring strict ID proofs.
Millions in Bihar’s poorest communities lack these documents.
- 4.7 million names were removed from the rolls.
- Seemanchal, a region with a large Muslim population, saw removal rates higher than the state average.
Opposition leaders argue this disproportionately affected traditional RJD-Congress voters.
Why These Results Matter Nationally
Bihar is not just another state election. With 130 million residents and significant parliamentary influence, its political currents often feed into national trends.
This election was perceived as a test of:
- Narendra Modi’s post-2024 mandate
- The BJP’s chemistry with regional allies
- The opposition’s ability to retain strongholds
While the BJP did not achieve a solo majority in the 2024 general elections, its state-level victories since then signal a revival of momentum.
The trend now continues in Bihar with remarkable clarity.
A Defining Moment in India’s Political Landscape
The NDA’s near-sweep underscores a state moving decisively toward stability and developmental politics. With voter demographics evolving and alliances being tested, Bihar’s verdict will influence national narratives for months to come.
