Bihar assembly elections 2025: Big boost for Modi Government; INDIA bloc pushed to self-introspection
New Delhi: The Bihar election was not merely confined to the boundaries of state politics; it intensified the pulse of national politics. Issues including electoral roll revisions had added layers of uncertainty to the verdict. This Assembly election was closely tied to several major factors — the continuation of state governance, the stability of the Modi government at the Centre, the future of Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) within Bihar, the direction of the Mahagathbandhan, the national-level strategies of the INDIA bloc, and the political trajectory of young leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Beyond safeguarding the state government, the wider political significance of the verdict lies in the fact that it has effectively extended the lifespan of the Modi government at the Centre. For the BJP, the result provides renewed energy as it prepares to shift its political focus towards West Bengal.
Given that the BJP-led Central Government relies critically on the JD(U)’s support, the NDA could not afford to fall short. Likewise, for the RJD and the Mahagathbandhan — out of power for 15 years — victory was essential for political survival.
A mandate review?
The NDA, which has secured a large victory, may wish to interpret the outcome as a mandate in favour of both the state and Central Governments. Had the NDA shown weakness in this election, the contours of national politics would have shifted. It could have accelerated the decline of the Modi government and pushed Nitish Kumar’s political relevance within Bihar into obscurity. A verdict favouring the Mahagathbandhan would also have strengthened the INDIA alliance and revitalised the Congress as a credible national opposition.
However, the mandate being in favour of the NDA means the national political narrative remains unchanged. Despite his health concerns, Nitish Kumar continues to retain his position as the central figure in Bihar politics.
Rebuilding lost confidence
The Congress and the RJD now face the challenge of regaining lost confidence. The already weakened Mahagathbandhan, including the Congress and the Left parties, must make time for introspection. The Congress will need new strategies to prepare the party and the INDIA bloc for the upcoming Assembly elections. For a party that once ruled Bihar for decades, this verdict marks another severe setback. In 2020, it was the Congress that weakened the RJD’s winning prospects; this time, both parties have faltered together. Yet, Tejashwi Yadav’s growth as a young leader — carrying the Mahagathbandhan’s burden almost single-handedly — remained visible throughout the election.
A blow to the Left
The setback to the Left, once deeply rooted in Bihar’s political landscape, demands serious analysis. The base the Left had built through the surge of the farmers’ movement began to erode as early as the 1990s. The rise of identity-based politics weakened traditional parties like the CPI and CPM. However, the CPI(ML), working alongside them, had revived Left influence to 16 seats in 2020. This time, Left politics has thinned again. While it is possible to argue that ideology matters more than seat count, Left parties must acknowledge that electoral numbers remain critical in a democratic system.
This election has once again demonstrated that national-level slogans do not gain acceptance in Bihar. In a state where “roti, makaan, kapda” remain dominant concerns, philosophical themes have little space. Even as the Congress and Rahul Gandhi repeatedly raised the issue of alleged electoral manipulation, Tejashwi Yadav avoided echoing it — a strategic recognition of Bihar’s political realities.