The results of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 have revealed a disappointing outcome for the Mahagathbandhan, particularly for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Despite securing the highest vote share among all parties, the RJD was only able to win 25 seats. This underperformance is particularly significant considering the party, led by Tejashwi Yadav, had fielded candidates in 143 seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance. While the alliance fell short in terms of seats, the election results provide a mixed picture of voter sentiment and party popularity.
RJD’s Vote Share vs. Seat Share
RJD’s vote share of 23% in the 2025 elections, although a slight dip from the 23.11% it garnered in the previous 2020 elections, was still the highest among the contesting parties. Despite this, the RJD’s seat tally remained low. The reason behind this discrepancy between vote share and seat share lies in the distribution of votes. In many constituencies, the party finished in second or third place, collecting a significant portion of the vote but failing to secure a majority in those seats. This situation, while boosting the party’s overall vote share, did not translate into a corresponding increase in the number of seats won.
The election results indicate that while RJD was able to gather substantial support across the state, that support did not materialize in enough victories. The party’s strong performance in terms of votes, particularly in a number of key constituencies, showed that it remained a major political force. However, the lack of strategic wins in crucial seats meant that RJD was unable to capitalize on its widespread support.
Underperformance of Mahagathbandhan Allies
RJD’s allies in the Mahagathbandhan also had a poor showing in the election. The Congress Party, which contested 61 seats, could only manage to win 6. Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI(ML)) won just 2 seats, and the Communist Party of India (CPI) secured only one seat. The CPI, however, failed to open its account entirely, signaling a weak performance.
The situation was equally bleak for Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), which contested 15 seats but failed to win even a single one. This underperformance among the alliance partners severely limited the Mahagathbandhan’s overall success. Together, the Mahagathbandhan managed to secure only 35 seats, a far cry from what was expected, given that the alliance had hoped to consolidate anti-BJP votes in the state.
NDA’s Victory and Strong Performance
In stark contrast, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged as the dominant force in Bihar, securing a total of 202 seats. The BJP played a crucial role in this victory, with the party contributing 89 seats to the NDA’s tally. The Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, followed closely behind, securing 85 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, added 19 seats to the NDA’s victory. Other smaller allies such as the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) also contributed, with HAM securing 5 seats and RLM 4 seats.
The NDA’s performance reflected strong voter support, particularly for the BJP, which saw its vote share rise from 19.46% in the last election to 20.07% in 2025. This shift indicates a consolidation of the BJP’s position in Bihar, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The alliance’s success can also be attributed to its strategic campaigning and the appeal of national issues such as security and governance, which resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.
Congress and Left Parties Struggle
The disappointing performance of Congress and the Left parties in the Mahagathbandhan highlighted the challenges faced by opposition alliances in Bihar. Despite fielding 61 candidates, Congress could only manage to win 6 seats, which underscores the party’s dwindling influence in the state. Similarly, the Left parties, which have historically had a strong base in Bihar, failed to make a significant impact.
The poor performance of these allies not only hurt the Mahagathbandhan’s chances but also raised questions about the future of coalition politics in Bihar. The Left parties, especially CPI(ML) and CPI, have traditionally been key players in the state, but their inability to win more than a few seats has weakened their position in the state’s political landscape.
Voter Sentiment and the Shift Towards NDA
The 2025 elections have shown a clear shift in voter sentiment towards the NDA, despite the strong campaign by Tejashwi Yadav and his Mahagathbandhan allies. While the Mahagathbandhan did manage to secure a decent vote share, the fragmentation of votes among various parties and candidates played a role in limiting its impact. The NDA, on the other hand, benefited from a unified front, with each of its constituent parties contributing to the overall success.
The increase in BJP’s vote share to 20.07% from 19.46% in 2020 signals that the party has made inroads into areas where it had previously been weaker. This gain can be attributed to both the BJP’s grassroots campaigning and the appeal of national issues that resonated strongly with voters in Bihar. The alignment of BJP’s interests with the state’s political environment under Nitish Kumar’s leadership further helped the NDA consolidate its position.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Mahagathbandhan and RJD
While the RJD’s performance in the 2025 elections was disappointing in terms of seats, the party’s strong vote share signals that it remains a major player in Bihar politics. Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership will continue to be critical in shaping the future of the party. However, the poor performance of his allies in the Mahagathbandhan raises questions about the viability of such coalitions in the future.
The Congress and Left parties will need to reassess their strategies if they hope to regain their political footing in Bihar. The failure of these parties to secure more than a handful of seats highlights the challenges they face in attracting and retaining voter support.
For RJD, the next steps will involve building stronger alliances, strengthening grassroots connections, and addressing the gaps that led to their underperformance in key constituencies. If the party hopes to bounce back in future elections, it will need to recalibrate its strategy and focus on areas where it can secure more targeted victories.
The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections have confirmed the dominance of the NDA, with a clear victory in both seat and vote share. While the RJD and its allies struggled to gain traction, the BJP, JD(U), and their allies benefited from a unified campaign that resonated with voters. The Mahagathbandhan’s poor performance, coupled with the underwhelming results from Congress and the Left, underscores the challenges that opposition parties face in Bihar.
The NDA’s victory marks a strong endorsement of the ruling alliance’s policies and leadership, particularly that of Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi. As Bihar’s political landscape continues to evolve, the lessons from this election will likely shape the strategies of all parties in the coming years.
