All political attention is focused on Bihar as the state awaits the final election results scheduled for announcement on Friday, November 14. The outcome will determine whether veteran leader Nitish Kumar can secure an unprecedented tenth term as Chief Minister, navigating through significant political challenges and health concerns.
The High-Stakes Battle for Bihar's Leadership
Nitish Kumar, the 74-year-old Janata Dal (United) supremo, faces his toughest political test yet. Multiple opinion polls conducted since April 2025 have consistently shown him trailing behind RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in popularity. The political landscape is further complicated by speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his alliance partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), might push for its own chief minister candidate if it outperforms JD(U) in the assembly elections.
A State Vote Vibe survey from earlier this year revealed that 33 percent of respondents wanted the BJP to declare its CM face, indicating shifting political dynamics within the alliance. However, the final decision will depend entirely on the election results that will be declared on November 14.
Nitish Kumar's Political Strengths and Vulnerabilities
Despite the challenges, Kumar maintains several significant advantages. His support among women voters remains particularly strong, bolstered by popular schemes like Jeevika Didi, 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies, and the recent Mahila Rozgar Yojana. He also maintains popularity among Economically Backward Class (EBC), Other Backward Class (OBC), and upper-class voters.
Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari of Ascendia Strategies and Vote Vibe noted that anti-incumbency against MLAs might not significantly impact Kumar's prospects because votes in these constituencies are likely to be divided between the Mahagathbandhan and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj.
Kumar's extensive administrative experience, which earned him the 'Sushasan Babu' title for improving law and order and infrastructure, along with his proven political manoeuvrability in stitching together alliances with former foes, remain his key assets.
Significant Challenges in Kumar's Path
The veteran leader faces multiple obstacles that could hinder his return to power. Several opinion polls have consistently shown Tejashwi Yadav as the preferred choice for chief minister, with Kumar's popularity showing a noticeable decline.
His frequent political shifts have earned him the 'Paltu Ram' nickname, with C-Voter founder Yashwant Deshmukh noting that Kumar's five alliance switches between NDA and Mahagathbandhan in the last decade have damaged his credibility.
Health concerns have also emerged as a significant factor, with Deshmukh highlighting that Kumar's "absence" and health issues have created "passiveness" among voters. The Vote Vibe survey from July 21, 2025, revealed that 54 percent of respondents said they would not vote for their incumbent MLA if they ran again in the Bihar Election 2025.
Additional challenges include over-dependence on allies for government formation and criticism from young voters about inadequate job creation efforts.
Financial Profile and Political Legacy
According to disclosures made on the Cabinet Secretariat Department website on December 31, 2024, Nitish Kumar's total net worth stands at ₹1.64 crore. His movable properties are valued at approximately ₹16,97,741.56, while immovable assets amount to ₹1.48 crore. The chief minister also disclosed ₹21,052 in cash and nearly ₹60,811.56 in various bank accounts.
As Bihar's longest-serving chief minister with twenty consecutive years at the helm, Kumar's political future now hangs in the balance. The election results will not only determine his personal political trajectory but also set the stage for the formation of a new government in the strategically important state.
Whether Kumar's popularity among women voters, administrative experience, and the opposition's fragmentation can overcome his declining popularity, health concerns, and anti-incumbency factors remains the central question that Friday's results will answer.
