- By Shubham Bajpai
- Fri, 14 Nov 2025 01:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: The voting counting in the Bihar Election is underway, but the trends clearly indicate that the NDA under CM Nitish Kumar is set to sweep the polls. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan is seemingly failing to achieve even its 2020 performance.
Congress, which won 21 seats in 2020, is not only falling short on it but getting reduced to fewer than 10 seats across the state. RJD too has been reduced to less than 50 seats despite contesting on 143 seats. NDA's dominating march towards victory has prompted questions as to what, probably when, in its favour, Bihar is giving such a big mandate to them.
1: Rs 10,000 for 1.2 crore women: CM Nitish Kumar is known for his reach among the women voters in Bihar. His persona got a further boost by announcing Rs 10,000 to 1.2 crore women under Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojna (MMRY) to promote self-employment.
The first installment was also released before the election, which further consolidated the trust of women in the ruling coalition. Apart from the MMRY, raising the old-age pension to Rs 1,100, announcing free electricity till 125 units, also played a major role.
2. Opposition's seat-sharing dilemma: While the ruling NDA timely concluded the seat-sharing agreement, the Mahagathbandhan failed to present a clear picture of their alliance arrangement in front of the voters.
The last-minute announcement of Mukesh Sahni's Deputy CM candidature and extended negotiations even after the first phase of polling probably cast an impression that the opposition alliance was less stable than the NDA.
3. NDA's approach to present jungle raj horror to voters: The BJP-led NDA centralised its campaign against RJD on the issue of 'jungle raj'. In his address to BJP workers in October, PM Modi asserted that the jungle raj will not be forgotten in 100 years.
He called upon the party workers to narrate the alleged horrific stories of jungle raj. "I would tell all the youngsters in Bihar to gather all the young people at every booth and have the elderly people in that area come and tell everyone about the old stories from the jungle raj", he had said.
The PM doubled down on it, raising "katta, dunali, rangdari" (guns and lawlessness) in his election speech. The trends suggest that NDA has been successful in convincing the voters that if RJD comes to power, jungle raj will return.
4. Nitish's pro-development image: Among many pros for Nitish Kumar, the trends also suggest that CM Nitish Kumar's clean and pro-development leader image has also yielded positive results. The NDA contrasted its 20 years of rule against the rule of Lalu-Rabri, highlighting corruption as a big problem.
In a video message released on November 1, Nitish listed his 20-year achievements and sought 'one more chance'.
Nitish said that he always worked hard for the people of Bihar with utmost honesty. Seeking one more term for the NDA government, the CM pitched, "Give us one more chance. We will develop Bihar in such a way that it will be included among the top states. Therefore, please reach your polling booth in maximum numbers and cast your vote".
The NDA managed to convince people that development would derail after the RJD assumes power.
5. NDA ace caste equation: Caste factor plays a very significant role in Bihar politics, and NDA has clearly left Mahagathbandhan behind on that front. While RJD played on its MY combination, along with eyeing Mallah community vote through Mukesh Sahni's VIP. However, NDA was successful in pulling the votes of other EBCs, including Manjhi, Paswan, and others.
The NDA also consolidated its vote among the OBCs like Kushwaha, Koeri, Kurmi etc.