- By Deeksha Gour
- Fri, 14 Nov 2025 03:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Election Result 2025: With counting progressing through the afternoon, a distinct voting pattern has emerged across Bihar. The JDU-BJP alliance has managed to draw unusual alignment from three major groups, young voters, women and the elderly, giving the NDA a clear advantage in the trends so far. Inputs from districts suggest that this shift was not accidental but driven by five specific factors introduced or highlighted by Nitish Kumar during the campaign.
Five Key Factors Drawing Women, Youth and Seniors Towards the NDA
1. Women’s Support Through the CM Women Employment Scheme
One of the most striking developments in this election was the visible participation of women. Long queues were reported at booths, especially in rural regions. Many women mentioned that the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme gave them confidence in the government. The financial support under the scheme had reached a large section of women, which created a sense of assurance that the benefits would continue. Several women stated that they trusted a government already delivering support over promises made during campaigns. This became a major reason for women voters aligning with Nitish Kumar.
2. Pension Hike Strengthens Elderly Voter Base
Senior citizens formed another group that shifted prominently towards the NDA. Nitish Kumar’s decision to increase the old-age pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month had a clear impact. Elderly voters said the increased amount helped them manage their daily needs without depending entirely on family members. Some even said they did not want Nitish Kumar to retire without a victory. This emotional confidence, combined with the financial benefit, made older voters strongly favour the JDU–BJP alliance.
3. Free Electricity Expands NDA’s Appeal Across Households
The rollout of 125 units of free electricity before the election reached both rural and urban homes. The immediate relief from monthly power bills was felt widely. In several villages, people joked that even animals rested comfortably under fans now. For households that struggled with rising costs, the electricity benefit was a practical and noticeable change. This created goodwill across families, cutting through class and age divides.
4. Law-and-Order Messaging And the ‘Jungle Raj’ Reminder
The NDA also revived a narrative that has been central to Bihar’s politics for years, law and order. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar repeatedly reminded voters of the past period associated with fear, extortion and weapons. The reference to the ‘Jungle Raj’ era had an impact on both young voters hearing about that phase and older voters who had lived through it. This messaging reinforced the belief that the NDA represented stability and safety.
5. Trust In Nitish Kumar’s Governance Record
The final factor was the long-standing trust in Nitish Kumar’s administrative work. Voters pointed to roads, electricity expansion and welfare schemes as examples of improvements made over the years. Though unemployment remained a concern, many felt the benefits of existing schemes offset some of these issues. Meanwhile, anti-incumbency votes against the NDA split between the RJD and Prashant Kishor’s party, which worked in the NDA’s favour.