Bihar election results: How NDA's "gathbandhan" really worked it out?

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a three-fourths majority in the third-most populous state with the fourth-largest legislative assembly in India. This is the alliance's best-ever performance since 2010, which also comes as a major endorsement of its "double engine formula". Further validating its belief that if any opposition campaign targets PM Modi might prove "costly" for them. 

NDA contested this election as one united family despite "division" claims arising. Moreover, smaller allies also registered a significant contribution to the coalition. Following the massive win, even though the opposition's bitter campaign largely stressed "vote chori" allegations, strategists of the BJP stated that their attack backfired - just like Rahul's "chowkidaar chor hai" slogan in 2019. 

This is NDA's fourth successive win in an assembly election after Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, ever since its shocking sub-par performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which is now back in history. The landslide victory in the Bihar elections further made up for it. The 89 assembly seats secured by the BJP are its second-best performance in the state, with the best strike rate ever at 88.1%, also affirms the "Modi Magic" as the mascot of the NDA for 11 years now, is still alive and more intact now. 

The Mahagathbandhan got swept away with just 35 seats to its kitty, and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj couldn't even register its presence. 

NDA's last best came in 2010, when it secured 206 out of 243 seats in the 2010 assembly elections, with the JD(U) winning 115. And, this time in 2025, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the state. But party leaders will abide by their "coalition dharma", and Nitish Kumar will continue as the Chief Minister. This unveils yet another fact that it's not enough to "stitch" alliances, but it is equally important to "run them smoothly." 

Another strong display of unity in NDA is visible through its poll offices, which were set up as those of an alliance, not of individual parties. Even the rallies conducted, including those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, were to address "workers of all parties", rather than being confined to the BJP alone. 

Despite Nitish Kumar stepping away from the alliance many times in the past, PM Modi, Shah, and other top leaders ensured the prevailing narrative of him being with them for 20 years, calling it "Mangal Raj" in contrast to what they called "Lalu-Rabri's Jungle Raj." He was always presented as the leader of the alliance in Bihar, even after various speculations over his health. 

Moreover, the core of their campaign stood out to be the welfare schemes underway, both of the Centre as well as the state, especially those benefitting women. Constant reminders of the "dark years" of misgovernance also set the tone, earning voter sentiments. 

During his 18 rallies, along with a roadshow in Bihar, PM Modi always called for unity among all the NDA members and workers, starting with interacting with all and setting aside the differences. BJP was also generous with seat allotment among all partners. 

Now, with the emphatic win, the BJP has strengthened itself as a brand for the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. At the same time, it worsens the position of the Congress, adding to the perception that it is a "liability to its allies."