On November 20, 2025, a sea of supporters and dignitaries gathered at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan to witness an extraordinary political milestone: Nitish Kumar, a stalwart of Bihar politics, took the oath of office as Chief Minister for a record tenth time. The significance of this event was not lost on the crowd, nor on Kumar’s son, Nishant, who broke his customary silence to express his gratitude and surprise at the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) sweeping victory. "I hoped that he would win, but people trusted us more than we expected. We won 43 seats last time, but my father kept working, and people supported him wholeheartedly this time. I thank them," Nishant told NDTV, reflecting the sense of accomplishment felt by the ruling coalition.
The numbers behind this historic win are staggering. The NDA, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), and several allies, clinched 202 of the 243 assembly seats—an emphatic mandate that left the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) reeling. The BJP secured 89 seats and the JDU 85, while the opposition, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties, managed only 35. The results, declared on November 14 after two phases of voting on November 6 and 11, reflected an unprecedented voter turnout: 65.08% in the first phase and 69.20% in the second.
Yet, the election’s aftermath has been anything but tranquil. The MGB, stung by the scale of their defeat, is now contemplating legal recourse. According to Hindustan Times, alliance partners are seeking key poll records from the Election Commission, including Form 17C (the statutory ‘account of votes recorded’) and CCTV footage, before deciding whether to challenge the results in court. RJD spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan claimed, “There have been gross anomalies in the election process which have influenced the election results, as per our understanding. This is why we are seriously contemplating moving court.” The alliance has begun consulting Supreme Court lawyers and expects a decision within a week of November 21.
Among the grievances raised by the opposition are the government’s disbursement of ₹10,000 to millions of women under the Mahila Rojgar Yojana during the polls and the operation of special trains to facilitate voters’ return to Bihar. The Election Commission, for its part, has restricted public access to electronic records such as CCTV footage, citing privacy concerns and the risk of misuse. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar framed the issue pointedly, asking whether the commission should circulate recordings showing "mothers, sisters, daughters" without consent.
The NDA’s landslide has also triggered fierce debate about the integrity of the process. Prashant Kishor, founder of the newly launched Jan Suraaj party, emerged as a vocal critic. Despite an energetic campaign, his party failed to win a single seat in its debut, a setback Kishor addressed with characteristic resolve. Speaking to reporters after a day-long silent fast at the Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, he accused the new Nitish Kumar cabinet of being “full of corrupts and criminals.” He alleged, “This council of ministers is a slap in the face of the people of Bihar. It's like rubbing salt on the wound as several corrupt leaders were inducted.”
Kishor didn’t stop there. He claimed the ruling alliance had effectively “bought votes” by transferring ₹10,000 into the bank accounts of over one crore women, asserting that funds from the state’s contingency reserve and a World Bank grant were diverted for this purpose. “They have purchased votes by transferring Rs 10,000 into the bank account of more than 1 crore women. Now, they have no concern for the state or the people,” he charged. Kishor vowed to hold the government to its promise of providing ₹2 lakh to women, declaring, “Now, we will ensure that women get Rs 2 lakh as promised by the NDA ahead of the polls.”
In a dramatic gesture, Kishor pledged to donate 90% of his income over the next five years to fund Jan Suraaj’s campaign. “Whatever assets I have acquired in the last 20 years, except my Delhi house, I will donate those for the party,” he announced. He called on supporters to contribute ₹1,000 annually, saying, “I will not meet anyone who doesn't donate this amount to the party.” Kishor also unveiled plans for the 'Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Yatra,' a statewide campaign set to begin January 15, 2026, during which party workers will visit every household over 15 to 18 months to "create awareness among the people about the misdeeds of this government."
Meanwhile, the central government’s narrative has taken a different tack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at the Border Security Force (BSF) Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Bhuj, Gujarat, on November 21, framed the Bihar verdict as a "mandate against infiltrators." According to Business Standard, Shah asserted that some political parties were opposing the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) of the voter list to protect the interests of illegal immigrants. He described the SIR as a "purification of voters' list," emphasizing, "We will deport every single infiltrator from this country. This is our resolve." Shah lauded the BSF’s efforts in securing borders and combating Naxalism, highlighting the force’s modernization plans and the upcoming introduction of e-border security technology.
Shah’s comments drew sharp lines between national security, electoral integrity, and political contestation. He warned, “Who will be the chief minister of any state in the country, or who will be the prime minister, is a decision that can only be made by the citizens of India. Infiltrators do not have the right to pollute our democratic system and influence our democratic decisions.”
Back in Patna, the NDA’s victory has been celebrated as a triumph of governance and stability. Nishant Kumar, reflecting on his father’s achievement, credited the empowerment of women as a decisive factor. "Women played a key role in the NDA's victory," he told NDTV, noting that his father’s two decades in power had prioritized their advancement. The presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and other top BJP leaders at the swearing-in underscored the national significance of the Bihar result.
Yet, the road ahead is anything but smooth. As legal challenges loom and opposition voices grow louder, the NDA faces the task of translating its electoral mandate into effective governance. The coming months will test both the resilience of Bihar’s political institutions and the ability of its leaders to address the complex interplay of public trust, electoral transparency, and social justice. For now, Nitish Kumar stands atop a political summit few have scaled, but the winds of scrutiny and dissent are already swirling around him.
