In the wake of a dramatic and closely-watched election, Bihar—India’s politically influential and populous state—is preparing for a historic government formation. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has clinched a resounding victory, setting the stage for Nitish Kumar to take oath as Chief Minister for a record tenth time. The swearing-in ceremony, slated for November 20 at Patna’s iconic Gandhi Maidan, is expected to draw a crowd of dignitaries, including the Prime Minister himself, and lakhs of supporters. But beneath the celebrations lies a complex tapestry of electoral dynamics, internal party strife, and lingering questions about the state of democracy in Bihar.
According to DW, the NDA’s triumph was indisputable: it secured 202 out of 243 legislative seats, with the BJP alone capturing 89. The Congress party, once a dominant force in Indian politics, managed only six seats—its poorest showing in Bihar’s history. The opposition’s Grand Alliance, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), was left with just 35 seats, a sharp decline from previous years. The verdict, many say, is a clear endorsement of the NDA's campaign, which emphasized development and stability over the chaos and lawlessness critics associate with earlier regimes.
“We were contesting the elections on the basis of development. Under the guidance of PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar, the NDA government in Bihar has brought development. This is on the basis of development only; today, the people have given a mandate in Bihar with an overwhelming majority,” BJP leader Lakhendra Paswan told ANI. Prime Minister Modi echoed these sentiments, declaring, “People vote for parties that fulfil their aspirations and the recent Bihar assembly polls have shown that when governments prioritize development, voters put their faith in them.” He also highlighted the historic voter turnout, noting, “Women turnout was about 9% more than the male turnout. This also is the victory of democracy.”
Yet, the path to this moment was anything but straightforward. The Election Commission’s decision to revise electoral rolls before the vote—removing nearly 10% of the state’s 74 million voters—sparked fierce controversy. The Commission cited mass emigration, new eligible voters, and unreported deaths as reasons. However, the Congress and other opposition parties alleged that the process disproportionately disenfranchised poor and minority voters. “This result in Bihar is truly surprising. We could not achieve victory in an election that was not fair from the very beginning,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X. Senior politician Kapil Sibal went further, accusing the BJP of “institutional capture” and undermining the credibility of key democratic bodies.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, raised the stakes by alleging that the BJP was attempting to “weaponise” the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for “vote chori” (vote theft). “At a time when public confidence in democratic institutions is already strained, the Election Commission’s conduct during the SIR process has been deeply disappointing. It must immediately demonstrate that it is not operating under the BJP’s shadow,” Kharge wrote on X, vowing that Congress would remain vigilant to protect democratic safeguards.
Meanwhile, the RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, refused to accept the verdict quietly. The party blamed “vote theft” and “misuse of EVMs” (electronic voting machines) for its poor performance. Senior RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav lamented, “It is clear that neither the public nor the political parties can digest the mandate that has been delivered. This mandate has come from machinery management. 90% strike rate is not possible for any political party in the world.” The Election Commission, however, dismissed these allegations as “technically impossible” and “procedurally false,” emphasizing the security and transparency of EVMs.
Amid the political storm, Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders have been meticulously preparing for the oath-taking ceremony. On November 18, Kumar personally reviewed preparations at Gandhi Maidan, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and top officials. The event is being touted as a “new flight of development in Bihar,” with BJP leader Nitin Nabin calling it a festival for the state. The NDA has also finalized a cabinet formula that allocates ministerial posts proportionally among alliance partners, reflecting the coalition’s strength and unity.
But while the NDA basks in victory, the opposition is in turmoil. The Congress issued show-cause notices to 43 leaders over alleged anti-party activities during the election, signaling internal dissent and the urgent need for introspection. Party insiders and analysts alike have called for a comprehensive renewal of the Congress, emphasizing stronger alliances with regional parties and a more credible political strategy. “The Congress party must take responsibility for its poor performance in Bihar by fostering genuine, cohesive alliances with regional partners,” political commentator Rasheed Kidwai told DW.
The RJD, too, faces internal challenges. A public feud erupted within the Yadav family after Lalu Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, accused her brother Tejashwi Yadav and his aides of mistreatment. The controversy prompted four of her sisters to leave the family’s Patna residence, while Tej Pratap Yadav issued an emotional defense, warning, “Jaichands will have to pay the price for their misdeeds.” Lalu Yadav downplayed the rift, calling it an “internal family matter” to be resolved privately.
For some observers, the Bihar election is best understood through the lens of archetypes—Sardar Khan (The Enforcer), George Orwell (The Dystopian), Chanakya (The Strategist), and Buddha (The Enlightened One). As one commentator put it, these figures represent the spectrum of Bihar’s electorate: those seeking stability, those disillusioned by perceived manipulation, the strategists learning hard lessons, and the indifferent who believe little will change after decades of the same regime.
Adding to the drama, Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, took responsibility for his party’s failure to win any seats. “We made an honest effort, but it was completely unsuccessful. There’s no harm in admitting this… If the public did not show faith in us, then the responsibility for that is completely mine,” Kishor said, announcing a day-long vow of silence to reflect on the defeat.
As Bihar prepares for Nitish Kumar’s tenth swearing-in, the state stands at a crossroads. The NDA’s victory is both a mandate for continuity and a test of the alliance’s ability to deliver on promises of development. The opposition, meanwhile, must grapple with internal divisions and the challenge of regaining public trust. For the people of Bihar, the hope—eternal as ever—is that this new chapter will bring real change, even as old patterns persist.
