BJP Leads in 95 Seats, NDA Crosses Majority Mark Without Nitish Kumar

The Bihar Assembly elections have delivered a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossing the halfway mark and securing over 122 seats—notably without veteran leader Nitish Kumar playing a central role. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party, leading in 95 of the 101 seats it contested, marking one of its strongest performances in the state.

LJP(R) Surges with Strong Debut

Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has made a striking impact in its electoral debut under the new banner, securing leads in 21 of the 28 seats it contested. The strong showing has strengthened the NDA’s overall tally and expanded its support base across multiple regions.

RLSP and HAM Add to NDA Strength

The NDA’s other allies have also performed significantly well.

• Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP is leading in 4 seats,

• Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM is ahead in 5 seats.

Together, the four-party coalition has comfortably surpassed the 122-seat majority threshold required in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, positioning itself to form the next government.

Nitish Kumar Not Projected as CM Candidate

In a major departure from previous elections, Nitish Kumar was not projected as the chief ministerial face of the NDA. BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal stated that the chief minister would be chosen on the basis of democratic consensus within the alliance, and the party securing the highest number of seats—in this case the BJP—naturally stands in the leading position to claim the top post.

Mahagathbandhan Flounders with Only 30 Seats

The Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress, and allied parties, has faced a steep setback, securing leads in only 30 seats. Following his defection to the opposition in 2022, Nitish Kumar now finds himself politically isolated, lacking both coalition support and the numbers required to form a government.

The current mandate underscores a sweeping realignment in Bihar’s political scene, marked by the BJP’s ascendancy and a diminishing influence of traditional power players.

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The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections witnessed intense political fireworks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra exchanged sharp blows during high-voltage rallies across the state. Polling for 121 constituencies marked the beginning of a three-phase electoral battle that has already turned into a fierce confrontation between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

Modi Blames Opposition for ‘Jungle Raj’ and Loot

Addressing a rally in Araria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan, accusing it of plunging Bihar into “jungle raj” between 1990 and 2005.

“Not a single bridge was built during that era, and the state was looted in the name of governance,” Modi alleged, evoking memories of lawlessness and economic stagnation during the RJD’s tenure.

The Prime Minister lauded the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for what he described as Bihar’s transformation from “chaos to growth.” Highlighting infrastructure and institutional progress, Modi pointed to the establishment of premier institutions like IIT Patna, IIM Bodh Gaya, AIIMS Patna, and AIIMS Darbhanga, claiming they symbolized Bihar’s march toward modernization.

Priyanka Counters with Charges of Collapse and Corruption

In a spirited counterattack during her rally at Motihari, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the NDA of “destroying Bihar’s foundations” and dismissed Modi’s claims of progress.

Citing the collapse of 27 bridges in the last three years, Priyanka questioned the government’s claims of development, saying that “Bihar’s infrastructure is literally falling apart.” She further alleged that rampant corruption and poor governance have eroded public trust and accountability.

“Bihar’s youth have been betrayed,” she said, referring to repeated paper leaks that have delayed recruitment processes and crushed the dreams of thousands of aspirants.

Appeal to Bihar’s Historical Pride

Priyanka invoked Bihar’s historic role in India’s freedom struggle, reminding voters of Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha movement in Champaran. “It was the people of Bihar who inspired Gandhi ji to lead India’s fight for independence. Today, Bihar must again lead the nation — by voting for truth, justice, and development,” she urged.

She called upon the electorate to defend their democratic rights and view the Mahagathbandhan as the true alternative to what she described as the NDA’s governance failures.

A Battle of Narratives

As the campaign intensifies, Bihar finds itself at the crossroads of two competing narratives:

• The NDA’s development pitch, centered on infrastructure growth and economic progress.

• The opposition’s critique of mismanagement, unemployment, and declining public infrastructure.

With two more phases of polling yet to come, the state’s voters now face a crucial choice — between the NDA’s promise of continuity and the opposition’s call for change.

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A Firm Message from the Home Minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has categorically stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) never announced any alternative chief ministerial candidate for Bihar, reaffirming that Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In an interview with Aaj Tak, Shah said, “Our government has been clear from day one — Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister. There has never been any other name discussed or declared.”

Dismisses Opposition Speculation

Amit Shah’s remarks come amid intense speculation and political whisper campaigns by the Mahagathbandhan, which has claimed that the BJP would “dump” Nitish Kumar after securing power in Bihar. The Home Minister brushed aside such rumours, saying, “The posts of Chief Minister and Prime Minister are not available for purchase. These are not things to be auctioned or negotiated.”

By reasserting his alliance’s commitment to Nitish Kumar, Shah sought to silence internal murmurs and opposition taunts that the BJP might spring a surprise post-election.

Confident of a Landslide Victory

During the interview, Shah exuded confidence about NDA’s prospects, claiming the alliance would secure over 160 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

He dismissed demands for a “formal declaration” of the chief ministerial candidate, saying the alliance’s position was already evident. “We have said it time and again — Nitish Kumar is our leader in Bihar. That should end all confusion,” Shah added.

Taking a Jibe at Nitish Kumar’s Critics

The Home Minister also took the opportunity to hit back at critics within and outside the alliance. Referring to JD(U)’s critics and opposition leaders, BJP spokesperson Pankaj Singh quipped, “What Nitish Kumar does in Bihar is the reverse of what Narendra Modi does in Delhi.”

At a recent rally, Shah took aim at both the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, saying, “Lalu-Rabri want their son as CM, and Sonia ji wants her son to be PM. Neither will happen. Modi ji is in Delhi, Nitish ji is in Patna — both will continue to serve the people.”

Opposition’s Counterattack

The Mahagathbandhan has made the BJP-JD(U) relationship its primary attack line. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while campaigning in Bihar, alleged that the BJP had made Nitish Kumar “a captive chief minister.”

“He is like a remote-controlled machine. The buttons are in the hands of Modi and Shah,” Rahul said, suggesting that Nitish had surrendered his independence to the BJP leadership.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, projected as the Mahagathbandhan’s CM face, accused the NDA of deceiving voters through “a facade of unity.”

Closing the Ranks Before Polling

As the campaign heads into its final stretch, Shah’s statements are seen as a strategic attempt to reunify the NDA base and quell any doubts about leadership clarity.

The BJP’s strong endorsement of Nitish Kumar also comes amid reports of internal dissatisfaction within sections of the JD(U), where some leaders privately felt overshadowed by the saffron party’s dominance.

By publicly reaffirming Kumar’s leadership, Amit Shah appears to be consolidating the alliance’s position against the RJD-Congress narrative of discord.

The Road Ahead

With the NDA projecting stability and the opposition pushing a “remote-control” charge, Bihar’s political battleground is heating up rapidly. As Amit Shah tries to tighten the alliance’s unity, the upcoming election is shaping into a contest between leadership clarity and opposition cynicism — with Nitish Kumar once again at the centre of Bihar’s political storm.

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Tejashwi Yadav Still Leads, But Popularity Slipping

RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav remains the frontrunner in the race to become Bihar’s next Chief Minister. According to the latest C-Voter survey, conducted in June 2025, 35% of respondents prefer Tejashwi for the top post.

While he continues to enjoy the lead, the RJD chief’s popularity has seen a steady dip over the past few months—from 41% in February to 36% in April, and now down to 35%. Tejashwi, who is spearheading the INDIA coalition campaign in Bihar, has been focusing on promises of youth employment, social justice, and a counter-narrative to the BJP-led NDA’s agenda.

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Makes Steady Gains

Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor is emerging as a formidable challenger. His outfit, Jan Suraaj, has seen a steady rise in public support, climbing from 15% in February to 18% in June.

Kishor’s appeal lies in his critique of traditional party politics and his strong anti-dynasty rhetoric. His populist messaging and vision of a “new Bihar” are resonating with voters who are disillusioned with the status quo.

Chirag Paswan: Kingmaker in the Making?

Chirag Paswan, leader of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Union Minister, is increasingly becoming a name to watch. Though not yet seen as a serious contender for the CM post, his growing support base and vocal presence in state politics could position him as a kingmaker in the event of a fractured mandate.

Paswan’s party, with its grassroots reach and aggressive campaign style, could tilt the scales during the post-poll arithmetic, making him a crucial player in the state’s power equation.

Nitish Kumar: Wounded But Not Weak

JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, currently seen as the likely CM face of the NDA, is facing waning public approval amid accusations of frequent party-switching and administrative inertia. However, his long political career and deep experience continue to make him a tough competitor.

Despite the setbacks, Nitish’s presence lends stability to the NDA camp, and his political savvy could yet secure a comeback.

Alliances Will Shape the Final Picture

As the campaign trail intensifies, it’s clear that party alliances and electoral mathematics will ultimately decide Bihar’s next Chief Minister. No single leader seems to hold an unassailable lead, and the growing influence of independent political voices could fracture the traditional power blocs.

A Battle of Merit, Vision, and Connection

The upcoming election promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent Bihar history. While Tejashwi Yadav maintains a narrow lead, Prashant Kishor’s steady rise and Chirag Paswan’s potential influence make the contest wide open.

One thing is certain: the next Chief Minister of Bihar will not simply be chosen by party loyalty but by their merit, strategic approach, and ability to connect with a more politically aware and aspirational electorate.

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