The political landscape of Bihar witnessed a dramatic and decisive verdict on Friday, as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a sweeping victory, extending its nearly two-decade-long dominance in the state. Contrary to predictions of a tight contest, the election results delivered a one-sided mandate, firmly backing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a leader known for his strategic political alliances.
A Landslide Mandate for the NDA
The ruling NDA is poised to comfortably cross the 200-seat mark in the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly. This resounding triumph underscores a clear preference for the incumbent government. In a stark contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan collapsed, winning under 40 seats. The Congress party, once a formidable force in state politics, faced a near-wipeout, managing to win only about 10 percent of the 61 seats it contested.
Notable Winners and Surprising Defeats
The election verdict was marked by several high-profile victories and unexpected losses that captured the attention of the entire state.
Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face and RJD leader, managed to retain his family bastion of Raghopur in Vaishali district. However, the victory was far from comfortable. Throughout the counting day, he alternated between leads and trails, a significant departure from the easy wins his family traditionally enjoyed from this seat.
In Mokama, JD(U) heavyweight Anant Singh once again proved his unshakable hold. Despite being jailed in connection with the killing of a Jan Suraaj worker and facing allegations of muscle power, Singh secured a victory, even campaigning from behind bars. His trademark sunglasses and brief media remarks remain a fixture of Bihar's political scene.
A fresh face emerged victorious in Alinagar. Folk singer and influencer Maithili Thakur, contesting her first election on a BJP ticket, won comfortably by more than 11,000 votes. Defeating veteran RJD leader Binod Mishra, she is now the youngest MLA in the Bihar assembly. The BJP's gamble on her cultural appeal paid off, helping the party win this seat for the first time since 2008.
Prominent Figures Who Faced Defeat
On the losing side, Bhojpuri star Khesari Lal Yadav, fielded by the BJP from Chapra, failed to convert his screen popularity into electoral success. He lost by over 10,000 votes to BJP's Chhoti Kumari, marking a major embarrassment for the RJD which had backed him.
Tej Pratap Yadav, the estranged son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and founder of the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), suffered a significant defeat in Mahua. Contesting from a seat he once held, he was unable to mobilise support for his new party.
Adding to the RJD's woes, sitting MLA Yusuf Salahuddin from Simri Bakhtiarpur was defeated by Sanjay Kumar Singh of the Chirag Paswan-led LJP (RV). Sanjay won by a margin of more than 7,000 votes, delivering another high-profile setback to the opposition camp.
This electoral outcome solidifies the NDA's position and sets the stage for the next phase of governance under Nitish Kumar's leadership, while the opposition is left to ponder a major rebuilding exercise.
