Historic High: NDA government once more, over 200 this time
Patna – Patna witnessed a dramatic shift on Friday as the NDA marched toward a landslide in the Bihar Assembly Election 2025. Counting began at 8 am, and the ruling coalition jumped ahead within minutes. Postal ballots gave the NDA an early edge, and the lead widened sharply through the morning.
By noon, NDA candidates dominated the scoreboard. The alliance pushed past the majority mark and moved toward 200 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan struggled to stay afloat. Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD tumbled early. Congress slipped even further. Analysts in Patna and New Delhi called the trend a decisive break from 2020.
The BJP and JD(U) entered the race with equal seat-sharing. However, the BJP moved ahead as counting progressed. The party led in more than 90 seats, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) followed closely with leads in over 80 constituencies. Their allies—Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM—added crucial numbers. LJP(RV) impressed with leads in more than 20 seats. HAM took early jumps in several constituencies. Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM also registered gains.
On the other side, the Mahagathbandhan faced trouble everywhere. The RJD, once the single-largest party, struggled to hold ground. It held leads in less than 30 seats. Congress slipped to single digits despite contesting 61 seats. Left parties—CPI(M), CPI(ML) and others—managed a handful of leads but failed to alter the larger picture. Tej Pratap Yadav trailed in Mahua. Tejashwi Yadav faced a close contest in Raghopur, a family stronghold.
In Patna, party offices saw contrasting scenes. NDA workers celebrated with dhol, flags and firecrackers. They claimed the “Nimo wave”—Nitish plus Modi—had swept the state. JD(U) workers stressed that women voters supported Nitish Kumar in large numbers because of his welfare schemes. BJP workers pointed to the Prime Minister’s sharp campaign and his attacks on “jungle raj.”
The mood was different in Mahagathbandhan offices. RJD supporters looked tense as leads fell below expectations. Congress leaders expressed concern over their shrinking vote share. Smaller allies attempted damage control but avoided firm reactions.
In Seemanchal, the NDA surprised many by gaining ground. The BJP targeted the issue of illegal immigration throughout the campaign. The message resonated with key constituencies near the border. Local leaders claimed the narrative helped consolidate support.
Political observers said the RJD misread voter sentiment. The party relied heavily on caste equations and offered expansive promises. Many voters rejected those promises as unrealistic. The SIR debate also failed to connect. Meanwhile, the NDA focused on welfare delivery, law and order, and familiar leadership.
If these trends hold, Nitish Kumar will return as Chief Minister for a record tenth time. The possibility sets the stage for renewed power balance negotiations within the NDA. The BJP’s larger tally strengthens its claim as the senior partner. Yet JD(U) leaders insisted that Nitish Kumar remains the face of governance and stability.
By late afternoon, the NDA looked poised to cross 200 seats. Bihar appeared ready to hand Nitish Kumar one more term, and the Mahagathbandhan braced for one of its worst election outcomes.
