Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–led alliance has registered a decisive victory in the Bihar state elections, triggering celebrations among supporters across the region. The alliance won 202 out of 243 seats, marking one of the most significant electoral wins in the state’s history.
Modi hailed the outcome as a triumph not only for his alliance but “for democracy itself.”
Record Voter Turnout
The elections, held on 6 and 11 November, witnessed a historic voter turnout of 66.91%, the highest recorded in Bihar since its first election in 1951, according to the Election Commission of India.
A major highlight was the unprecedented participation of female voters. Women accounted for a 71.6% turnout, the highest in the state’s history. Analysts believe this surge played a crucial role in the BJP–JD(U) alliance’s sweeping victory, especially as both alliances targeted women with various welfare and financial assistance schemes. Nitish Kumar’s welfare initiatives appear to have resonated strongly among female voters.
Political Landscape and Key Rivals
The BJP contested the election in alliance with the Janata Dal (United), led by outgoing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The opposition coalition consisted of the Congress party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and several smaller regional groups.
While BJP leaders expressed gratitude to voters, the opposition has yet to release an official statement regarding the results.
The Bihar elections are seen as a precursor to upcoming key state elections in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has faced longstanding challenges in expanding its presence.
Controversial Voter List Revision
The election drew heightened attention following a contentious revision of the state’s voter list. The Election Commission released an updated roll in September, removing approximately 4.7 million names from a total of 74.2 million voters.
Opposition parties accused the commission of disproportionately removing Muslim voters to benefit the BJP. Both the commission and the BJP have categorically denied these allegations. The voter list revision process is currently underway across 12 other Indian states and union territories.
Significance for Bihar’s Political Veterans
This election may represent the final active participation of two veteran political figures: Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and Lalu Prasad Yadav of the RJD. Both leaders, now in their 70s and reportedly in declining health, have shaped Bihar’s political narrative for nearly four decades—often as rivals, but occasionally as allies.
Lalu Prasad Yadav, a former chief minister currently out on bail after corruption convictions, positioned his son Tejashwi Yadav as the opposition’s chief ministerial candidate.
Bihar’s Socioeconomic Context
Bihar, home to more than 74 million registered voters, remains India’s poorest state, prompting millions to migrate each year for employment opportunities. Despite this, the state continues to demonstrate high political engagement, as reflected in this year’s record-breaking turnout.