Bihar Election 2025: NDA's Sweeping Victory Reshapes State's Political Landscape

Chirag Paswan emerges as one of the election's most remarkable comeback stories

New Delhi:

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is advancing toward its most decisive victory in two decades as ballot counting progresses in the Bihar Assembly elections.

With over 200 seats secured in the 243-member Assembly, the NDA has not only strengthened its position but exceeded its strong 2010 electoral performance.

Below is an analysis of the key winners and losers in this pivotal election:

Major Winners

Nitish Kumar

After nearly twenty years in power, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has successfully overcome anti-incumbency challenges. His Janata Dal (United) is leading in more than 80 constituencies, making a substantial contribution to the NDA's overwhelming mandate.

This outcome guarantees Kumar a fifth term as Chief Minister and neutralizes the Opposition's strategy—particularly Tejashwi Yadav's attempt—to frame the election as a contest between youth and experience in Bihar.

Chirag Paswan

Chirag Paswan represents one of the election's most dramatic comebacks. After securing just one seat in 2020, his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) transformed its approximately 6 percent vote share into an impressive performance, winning 22 of its 29 contested seats.

Strong consolidation of Paswan supporters, combined with Chirag's appeal among Dalit communities and younger voters, has significantly elevated his political standing within the NDA coalition.

Asaduddin Owaisi and AIMIM

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), under Asaduddin Owaisi's leadership, has delivered another robust performance in the Seemanchal region, where the party has consistently expanded its influence.

AIMIM captured five seats—Jokihat (Araria), Kochadhaman (Kishanganj), Amour (Purnea), Bahadurganj and Baisi (Purnea). These are identical to the constituencies secured in the 2020 elections, demonstrating the party's stable support base.

HAM and RLM

Smaller NDA alliance partners have performed exceptionally well. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi won five of its six contested seats, while Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) under Upendra Kushwaha led in four constituencies.

The impressive showing by these coalition partners played a decisive role in helping the NDA surpass the 200-seat threshold.

Major Losers

Tejashwi's RJD

Despite being positioned as the Opposition's chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav failed to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment—even while comfortably retaining his Raghopur seat.

The RJD's count of merely 25 seats represents only a slight improvement over its 2010 performance, when it secured just 22 seats.

After gaining momentum in 2020, the party's regression in 2025 represents a significant setback for Tejashwi's political aspirations.

Rahul Gandhi and Congress

The Congress party again struggled to make a meaningful impact in Bihar, ending with single-digit representation.

Despite Rahul Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra," allegations of "vote chori," and criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the party failed to connect effectively with the electorate.

This outcome continues the decline observed in 2020, when Congress contested 70 seats but won only 19, undermining the Mahagathbandhan alliance's prospects.

This election cycle, Congress contested 61 seats and has won three, with leads in just three others.

Prashant Kishor

Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor, who previously helped numerous political parties achieve electoral success, finds himself among the election's most notable losers.

Despite conducting a two-year padyatra and maintaining high visibility, his Jan Suraaj platform made no electoral impact—receiving fewer votes than NOTA (None Of The Above) in several constituencies.

His development-focused messaging failed to resonate, and his decision not to contest seats created ambiguity regarding his movement's strategic direction.

Mukesh Sahani

Despite being projected as a significant player in the Seemanchal region and named as a deputy chief ministerial candidate for the Mahagathbandhan following difficult negotiations, Mukesh Sahani failed to deliver results. His Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) couldn't translate caste-based mobilization into concrete electoral gains.

The Nishad (fisherman) community vote, which he attempted to consolidate, appears to have shifted decisively toward the NDA, attracted by targeted welfare promises.