Bihar Election Result 2025: 5 factors that contributed to NDA’s victory

This is a massive victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Bihar Assembly elections. As of 8 pm, counting is still underway, with the alliance leading on 205 out of 243 seats, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 77 seats and leading on 12. Nitish-led Janata Dal United (JDU) has secured 62 seats and is leading on 23 seats. Chirag Paswan led Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) has won 15 seats and is leading on 4 seats.

The Grand Alliance (MGB) is leading in 33 constituencies, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is leading in 19 constituencies and the RJD is leading in 6 constituencies. Indian National Congress (INC) has managed to secure 3 seats and is leading in 3 other seats.

So far, independents and others have won five seats. Jan Suraj Party (JSP), which is contesting its first election, has failed to open its account. In terms of vote share, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got 20.51%, Janata Dal (United) 18.98%, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) 22.81%, Congress 8.77% and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 5.05%.

Factors that helped NDA win in Bihar:

1. Consolidation of Votes:

The unity of the NDA ensured a strong consolidation of votes in its favour. Unlike previous state elections, LJP (RV) was part of the alliance this time, preventing the vote division that had weakened the NDA in 2020. In that election, although LJP(RV) won only one seat, it significantly damaged JD(U)’s prospects, helping the party win only 43 out of 115 seats. The absence of such fragmentation helped the NDA secure a historic mandate in 2025.

2. Welfare Schemes:

The Mukhyamantri Rozgar Yojana, launched in September 2025, became the centerpiece of the NDA’s campaign. Under this scheme, initially ₹10,000 was transferred to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women, later CM Nitish Kumar claimed that 1.41 crore women have benefited.

One woman from each family received support to start a small business or income-generating activity. Beneficiaries able to show productive use of the initial amount within a few months will become eligible for an additional ₹2 lakh to expand their venture. This direct and concrete welfare effort proved important in uniting women voters.

3. Spoiler Effect of JSP:

JSP played a decisive role. With 3.5% of the vote, the party – along with AIMIM – split the anti-incumbency vote, weakening the grand alliance. MGB’s vote share dropped from 40.1% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to 37.3% in 2025.

4. Image of Nitish Kumar:

Nitish Kumar’s reputation as “Sushasan Babu” (good governance leader) remained intact. The NDA projected him as its chief ministerial face and he led the campaign from the front. His long-standing emphasis on development and better law and order makes him one of the most preferred chief ministerial choices of Bihar.

5. RJD’s burden of ‘Jungle Raj’:

The RJD is carrying the burden of the notion of “Jungle Raj” associated with the tenures of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. Those years are associated in the public memory with rampant crime, including increased incidents of robbery, murder and dacoity. This legacy once again diminishes the RJD’s ability to expand its appeal.