Modi-Nitish duo reassert dominance

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has delivered a political shockwave in Bihar, sweeping the electoral field with what appears to be a historic mandate. The result has startled many observers—though it was one this newspaper had consistently reported as imminent.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

The scale of the NDA’s performance recalls its dominance in the 2010 assembly elections, when the BJP and Janata Dal (United) had registered one of the biggest victories in the state's history. Early trends indicate that the BJP has emerged as the dominant partner, closely followed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), both recording strong strike rates across the constituencies they contested. Other allies such as the LJP, HAM, and RLM have also performed respectably, riding on the Modi-Nitish momentum.

The verdict reaffirms the enduring appeal of the Modi-Nitish duo and is likely to reshape the power balance within the NDA.

For both leaders, now in their mid-70s, this mandate could mark their final active campaign in a state election-making the outcome all the more significant.

In contrast, the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan), led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), appears headed for one of its poorest-ever performances, with the Congress and its smaller partners struggling to make any impact. The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) failed to open its account, exposing the overestimated influence of its leadership.

The roots of the NDA's success are multi-layered.