The ruling NDA decimated the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Friday to retain power reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s enduring appeal and dealing a body blow to the Congress and ally RJD.
The massive scale of the victory of the National Democratic Alliance(NDA) can be gauged from the fact that its two main constituents—BJP and JD(U)--are on course for an over 85 per cent strike rate in 101 seats each they had contested. The alliance is set for a “200 paar” win for a three-fourth majority with BJP emerging as the single largest party, according to latest results and trends at 11 pm.
While the BJP won 87 seats, up from 74 in 2020, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal(U) tasted success in 78 constituencies, up from 43. The majority mark in the 243-member Assembly is 122. The BJP and the JD(U) were leading in two and seven seats, respectively.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seat tally slipped to 24 from 75 and Congress bagged only six out of the 61 seats it contested, down from 19. RJD was leading in one.
A mix of state and central welfare schemes, including the monetary aid to women as part of NDA’s women-centric outreach, a constant reminder of the “jungle raj” during the RJD rule by Modi and other NDA campaigners and the viability of a “double-engine” government appears to have largely contributed to their landslide victory.
Navigating the complex caste and community dynamics, NDA’s wider caste alliance that dented the Mahagatbandhan’s core vote bank, multiple welfare schemes targeted at Economically Backward Class(EBC) households, huge support from women who overwhelmingly supported the liquor ban and from young voters also helped the five-party alliance. One of the most striking features of this election was the extraordinary turnout of women voters.
The NDA also appeared to have done well in Muslim-dominated constituencies, signalling a possible change in voting pattern in these segments.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), dubbed the ‘X factor’ in the Bihar polls and whose candidates were in the fray in all but three of the seats, came a cropper.
The party, floated by the former political strategist, failed to galvanise votes in its favour, despite a high-pitched campaign and raising pressing issues such as unemployment, migration and dearth of industries.
Celebrations erupted at the offices of BJP and JD(U) in Patna situated across the street from each other, with workers playing drums, bursting firecrackers and chanting slogans in praise of their respective leaders.
In front of the residence of the chief minister, the JD(U)’s 75-year-old national president, party workers posed for photographs holding aloft posters with the caption ‘Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai’.
‘Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai’—the title of a Bollywood blockbuster—neatly captured the gist of Chief Minister Kumar’s “neither tired nor in a mood to retire” stance.
Shocking his rivals, Kumar, an electrical engineering graduate, had a point to prove in the latest assembly elections, which were held amid speculation of a fatigue factor, if not downright anti-incumbency, made worse by rumours of his indifferent health. He is Bihar’s longest serving chief minister whilst also holding the post for his 9th term.
In the run-up to the high stakes polls, Kumar, who has earned the nick name of ‘sushasan babu’ (the man of good governance), aggressively doled out benefits like hike in social security pensions and stipends for Jeevika and Aasha and Aanganwadi workers, besides the much touted ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’, as part of which over one crore women have got Rs 10,000 each in their bank accounts.
Kumar was not in the electoral fray this time too as he has consistently taken the legislative council route to enter the state legislature.
BJP’s performance would further cement its position as the numero uno political force in the country and also offset whatever setback that might have been caused by last year’s Lok Sabha polls when the party had to rely on allies to remain in power in the Centre.
The NDA’s tally in Bihar comes in the backdrop of the BJP’s back-to-back stunning performances in Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana. Last year, BJP had won 132 of the 149 seats it had contested in Maharashtra. The strong backing to Chief Minister Kumar by Modi and his ministers during their poll campaign also appeared to have paid rich dividends for the JD(U).
The LJP(RV), headed by Union minister Chirag Paswan, the self-declared “Hanuman” of the Prime Minister, which was left with only 28 candidates in the fray, with nomination papers of one of its nominees getting rejected during scrutiny, won 18 seats and was leading in one constituency.
Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwah’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha, both junior partners in the NDA, won five and four seats respectively. Both parties had contested six seats each. To consolidate Dalit support, the BJP banked on its two key allies—Manjhi and Paswan.
The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, the Congress and three Left parties, faced a crushing defeat, notwithstanding surveys and opinion polls showing its Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav as the most preferred leader for the top post.
Yadav, who according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was declared as a chief ministerial candidate after the RJD put a “katta” on the head of its alliance partners, was trailing initially before he recovered ground in Raghopur, the RJD stronghold. He defeated BJP candidate Satish Kumar by 14,532 votes.
Mahagatbahndhan also struggled to retain its strongholds. The Muslim and Yadav (M-Y) combination traditionally formed the bedrock of the RJD’s support base in Bihar.
It was an embarrassing loss of face for the Congress, often seen as a “weak link” in the INDIA bloc.
Rahul Gandhi’s poll campaign against the BJP that revolved around his “Vote Chori”(vote theft) allegations failed to garner any support.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owais’s AIMIM, which has often been accused of being a “B-team” of the BJP, won five seats. The party had contested 32 seats.
The NDA’s victory in Bihar polls, which were held in two phases amid alleged irregularities in revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission, is also significant as many see it as a prelude to assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam, scheduled to be held in the next six months. —with PTI
Congress wins 6 of 61 seats it contested in Bihar Assembly elections
November 14, 2025 11:00 pm
The Congress on Friday won only six of the 61 seats it contested in the Bihar Assembly elections. Its state unit president Rajesh Kumar lost from the Kutumba seat, legislature party leader in the outgoing assembly, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, was defeated by JD (U) candidate Dulal Chandra Goswami from the Kadwa seat by a margin of 18,368 votes. The six Congress candidates who won are Surendra Prasad (Valmiki Nagar), Abhisekh Ranjan (Chanpatia), Manoj Bishwas (Forbesganj), Abidur Rehman (Araria), Mohd. Qamrul Hoda (Kishanganj) and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari). PTI
Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha of BJP wins Lakhisarai seat by 24,940 votes
November 14, 2025 8:47 pm
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha won the Lakhisarai seat by 24,940 votes on Friday, defeating his nearest Congress rival Amaresh Kumar, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Bihar has proved that people do not support....: PM Modi's jibe at Opposition
November 14, 2025 7:41 pm
Bihar has proved that people defeat falsehoods and do not support those who are out on bail: PM Modi's jibe at Opposition. PTI
Bihar voters have given massive support to SIR: PM Modi
November 14, 2025 7:40 pm
Bihar voters have given massive support to SIR, it is now duty of all parties to activate their workers to purify voter lists: PM Modi. PTI
Nitish Kumar will remain Bihar CM, says Chirag Paswan
November 14, 2025 6:41 pm
Riding on the clear trends of Bihar Assembly poll, which pointed towards a landslide victory of the NDA alliance over Mahagathbandhan, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said on Friday that he firmly believed that Nitish Kumar would continue to remain the state’s chief minister.
Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary wins Tarapur seat by 45,843 votes
November 14, 2025 6:39 pm
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of BJP won Tarapur Assembly seat by a margin of 45,843 votes. He bagged 1,22,480 votes, while his nearest rival, Arun Kumar of RJD, secured 76,637 votes. PTI
CM Adityanath congratulates voters, NDA workers for victory in Bihar
November 14, 2025 6:05 pm
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday congratulated the voters, workers and office bearers of NDA for their resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly election. He also termed the victory as a “testament to the people of Bihar’s unwavering faith in the development-oriented guidance” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI
NDA wins 57 seats, INDIA bloc 7
November 14, 2025 6:03 pm
BJP won 32 seats and was leading in 59 other constituencies, while its ally JD(U) secured 22 seats and was ahead in 61 other constituencies, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Singer Maithili Thakur wins from Alinagar in poll debut
November 14, 2025 6:00 pm
Tejashwi Yadav wins Raghopur
November 14, 2025 5:51 pm
NOTA’s share up from 2020 but much lower than 2015 Bihar Assembly election
November 14, 2025 5:36 pm
The share of NOTA option went up marginally this time in the Bihar Assembly election as compared to the last elections but is still much lower than 2015, data shared by the Election Commission shows.
PM Modi thanks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and NDA ‘family members’
November 14, 2025 5:21 pm
PM Modi thanks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and NDA ‘family members’ Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha for Bihar poll win. PTI
Several ministers among NDA winners in Bihar
November 14, 2025 5:21 pm
Bihar ministers Prem Kumar, Maheshwar Hazari and Sanjay Saraogi were among prominent winners from the NDA camp which has, so far, won at least 21 seats in the 243-strong Assembly. PTI
Victory of development; victory of social justice: PM Modi on NDA win in Bihar poll
November 14, 2025 5:20 pm
Victory of development; victory of the spirit of public welfare; victory of social justice: PM Modi on NDA win in Bihar poll. PTI
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party yet to open account in Bihar election
November 14, 2025 5:12 pm
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), dubbed the ‘X factor’ in the Bihar election, was yet to open its account in the 243-member Assembly. PTI
JD(U)'s Anant Kumar Singh wins Mokama by 28,206 votes
November 14, 2025 4:18 pm
JD(U)'s Anant Kumar Singh, arrested in murder case during electioneering, wins Mokama by 28,206 votes. PTI
JD(U)'s Maheshwar Hazari wins Kalyanpur seat by 38,586 votes
November 14, 2025 4:16 pm
Patna: JD(U) candidate Maheshwar Hazari defeated his nearest rival, CPI(ML) Liberation's Ranjeet Kumar Ram, by a margin of 38,586 votes in Kalyanpur assembly seat in Bihar, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Tejashwi trailing by 4,829 votes in Raghopur assembly seat
November 14, 2025 3:25 pm
Patna: RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav was trailing behind BJP's Satish Kumar by 4,829 votes in Bihar's Raghopur assembly seat, which was witnessing a neck-and-neck fight on Friday, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Lalu's son Tej Pratap at 3rd position in Mahua
November 14, 2025 3:24 pm
Patna: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's elder son and Janshakti Janta Dal chief Tej Pratap was in the third slot in Mahua seat after the 13th round of counting, according to trends available on the Election Commission website on Friday. PTI
Congress leads in only 3 of 61 seats it contested in Bihar polls: EC
November 14, 2025 3:13 pm
Congress leads in only 3 of 61 seats it contested in Bihar polls: EC.
People want development: Haryana minister on Bihar polls
November 14, 2025 1:54 pm
As the BJP-led NDA inched closer to a landslide victory in Bihar, Haryana Minister Anil Vij on Friday said the big message from the election is that “people want development”. “The Bihar election has sent out a very big message to the entire country that the people do not want fake promises; they want real work and development,” the transport and energy minister said. He claimed that the people of Bihar have accepted the development-driven policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI
BJP leads in 201 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 36, Others 6
November 14, 2025 1:39 pm
Shashi Tharoor says Congress must study in detail causes behind its defeat
November 14, 2025 1:27 pm
RJD's Tejashwi Yadav now ahead of BJP candidate by 219 votes
November 14, 2025 1:20 pm
Neck-and-neck fight in Bihar's Raghopur seat, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav now ahead of BJP candidate Satish Kumar by 219 votes: EC. PTI
AIMIM leads in five seats in Bihar
November 14, 2025 1:20 pm
The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM was leading in five seats as counting was underway for the Bihar assembly polls on Friday, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Congress state unit chief Rajesh Kumar, CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan trailing
November 14, 2025 1:17 pm
In a setback for the Congress, its Bihar unit president Rajesh Kumar and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan were trailing in Kutumba and Kadwa assembly seats, respectively, according to the Election Commission’s website. Kumar was behind HAM (Secular) nominee Lalan Ram by 7,288 votes in Kutumba, while Khan, the Congress legislative party (CLP) leader, was trailing JD(U) candidate Dulal Chandra Goswami by 23,785 votes in Kadwa. The party was leading only in six seats out of 61 it contested in the Bihar polls. Congress nominee Surendra Prasad was leading from Valmiki Nagar, Mohd. Qamrul Hoda from Kishanganj, Manohar Prasad Singh from Manihari, Amita Bushan from Begusarai, Anil Kumar from Bikram, and Mangal Ram from Chenari. PTI
Celebrations break out among BJP supporters in Delhi as NDA leads in Bihar
November 14, 2025 1:14 pm
This is Bihar's confidence: JD(U) lauds Nitish Kumar’s governance
November 14, 2025 1:03 pm
BJP ahead in 196 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 41, Others 6
November 14, 2025 1:03 pm
Victory possible due to Nitish Kumar's charismatic leadership: JD(U)'s KC Tyagi
November 14, 2025 12:56 pm
Lauding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "charismatic" leadership for early trends predicting a repeat of National Democratic Alliance government in Bihar, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi on Friday said that from the beginning, his party has been saying that they would get approx 80 seats in the polls. He also slammed the opposition, accusing them of blaming the Electronic Voting Machine, the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision for their loss in the state. "Even before the elections began, it was said that JD(U) would win around 80 seats. This became possible due to the charismatic leadership of Nitish Kumar. RJD+ sometimes says that they will score a bumper victory in Bihar, but when the results come, they say that the Election Commission is at fault, the EVMs are faulty, SIR is at fault," KC Tyagi said. ANI
Akhilesh Yadav says SIR ‘game’ no longer possible
November 14, 2025 12:49 pm
BJP ahead in 193 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 45, Others 5
November 14, 2025 12:39 pm
Congress accuses EC of bias, claims 60 lakh voters deleted ahead of Bihar polls
November 14, 2025 12:39 pm
Celebrations continue outside JD(U) office in Patna
November 14, 2025 12:31 pm
Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) ahead in 22 of 28 seats
November 14, 2025 11:59 am
Union minister Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) ahead in 22 of 28 seats it contested in Bihar polls: EC
NDA will get thumping majority: Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal
November 14, 2025 11:43 am
With NDA leading in 186 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly, the party's state president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal on Friday exuded confidence that the ruling coalition will return to power with a thumping majority. He said the trends reaffirmed what the ruling coalition had sensed "on the faces and in the words" of voters through both phases of polling. PTI
Asaduddin Owaisi-headed AIMIM leads in 3 Bihar seats
November 14, 2025 11:36 am
Asaduddin Owaisi-headed AIMIM leads in 3 Bihar seats -- Kochadhaman, Amour, Baisi: EC
NDA confident of getting more than 160 seats in Bihar, HAM likely to bag 6: Jitan Ram Manjhi
November 14, 2025 11:33 am
HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday exuded confidence that the NDA will win more than 160 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly polls and his party Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), as a constituent of the ruling alliance, will bag at least six constituencies. PTI
Tej Pratap Yadav lags behind by over 10,000 votes in Mahua
November 14, 2025 11:33 am
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JJD founder Tej Pratap Yadav is also trailing, by more than 10,700 votes, in Mahua.
Poll body data highlights party-wise vote share in Bihar. Photo: EC
November 14, 2025 11:25 am
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Tejashwi Yadav now trails by over 1,200 votes in Raghopur
November 14, 2025 11:17 am
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Mahagathbandhan's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav of RJD is now trailing in Raghopur by 1,273 votes; BJP's Satish Kumar is leading: EC. Photo: EC
NDA crossing majority mark not unexpected, says Jitan Ram Manjhi
November 14, 2025 11:08 am
JJD founder Tej Pratap Yadav at 3rd spot in Mahua
November 14, 2025 10:55 am
JJD founder Tej Pratap Yadav is at third spot in Mahua after first round; LJP (RV)'s Sanjay Kumar Singh is leading over RJD's Mukesh Kumar: EC. PTI
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary of BJP leads in Tarapur by 2,690 votes
November 14, 2025 10:53 am
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary of BJP is leading in Tarapur by 2,690 votes; RJD's Arun Kumar is trailing, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Bihar minister, JD(U) candidate Leshi Singh leads in Dhamdaha by 792 votes
November 14, 2025 10:52 am
Bihar minister and JD(U) candidate Leshi Singh is leading in Dhamdaha by 792 votes over RJD's Santosh Kumar, according to the Election Commission. PTI
Mahagathbandhan's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav of RJD leads in Raghopur by 893 votes
November 14, 2025 10:50 am
Mahagathbandhan's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav of RJD is leading in Raghopur by 893 votes; BJP's Satish Kumar is trailing, according to the Election Commission. PTI
People have favoured 20 years of governance, says BJP
November 14, 2025 10:43 am
Mohammad Shahabuddin's son leads in Ragunathpur
November 14, 2025 10:41 am
RJD's Osama Shahab, son of Mohammad Shahabuddin, is leading in Ragunathpur by 725 votes, JD(U)'s Vikash Kumar Singh is trailing: according to the Election Commission.
BJP office in Patna decked up as initial trends hint at victory
November 14, 2025 10:09 am
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A view of the BJP state office decked up with banners in Patna. PTI
NDA crosses halfway mark
November 14, 2025 9:50 am
According to the Election Commission, the NDA has crossed the halfway mark and is leading on 161 seats, Mahagathbandhan 78 and others four.
NDA ahead in 158 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 75
November 14, 2025 9:34 am
CPIM(L) Liberation's Sandeep Saurav leads in Paliganj by 241 votes
November 14, 2025 9:33 am
CPIM(L) Liberation's Sandeep Saurav leads in Paliganj by 241 votes, LJP (RV)'s Sunil Kumar trails: EC
BJP's Nitin Nabin leads by 2,043 votes in Bankipur
November 14, 2025 9:28 am
BJP's Nitin Nabin leads by 2,043 votes in Bankipur, RJD candidate Rekha Kumari trails: EC
NDA ahead in 141 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 73
November 14, 2025 9:26 am
Counting on in Bihar
November 14, 2025 8:53 am
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NDA ahead in 85 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 55
November 14, 2025 8:48 am
MGB not far behind
November 14, 2025 8:43 am
NDA takes lead in 77 seats
November 14, 2025 8:41 am
BJP's Maithli Thakur leads in Alinagar
November 14, 2025 8:38 am
Early trends are also showing that singer Maithili Thakur is leading in Alinagar.
NDA leads in 66 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 44
November 14, 2025 8:32 am
Tejashwi Yadav leads In Raghopur, initial trends show
November 14, 2025 8:29 am
JDU's Anant Singh leads from Mokama, early trends show
November 14, 2025 8:24 am
In Makoma, JD(U)'s Anant Singh is leading in the postal ballot counting, as per early trends.
November 14, 2025 8:24 am
NDA: 29 MGB: 17 OTH: 4
NDA ahead in 12 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 8, show early trends
November 14, 2025 8:17 am
Out of 11 trends available, NDA is leading with 7 seats
November 14, 2025 8:14 am
November 14, 2025 8:12 am
NDA: 5 MGB: 2 OTH: 1
500 kg laddoos: NDA prepares to celebrate victory in Bihar
November 14, 2025 7:35 am
The state office of the BJP has ordered 500 kg of laddoos for the occasion. The JD(U) put up a poster outside the office of CM Nitish Kumar proclaiming “Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai”.
Vote counting to begin at 8 am
November 14, 2025 7:31 am
Bihar enters the verdict stage as vote counting is set to begin at 8 am.
