The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is all set to return to power in Bihar after the two-phase assembly elections held on November 6 and 11. As per the latest updates from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the NDA is leading on more than 200 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is ahead on around 40 seats. This clearly shows a strong advantage for the ruling alliance.

The NDA in Bihar includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal-United (JD-U) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RM) led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) led by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha.

The opposition Mahagathbandhan consists of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and three Left parties the CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI(M), and CPI.

BJP to become the single-largest party

According to the poll body, the BJP is on track to become the single-largest party in Bihar for the first time. It is leading on 95 seats with a vote share of around 20.79%. This marks a major shift in Bihar politics, as the BJP has always played the role of the junior partner in its alliance with the JDU.

In previous elections, the JDU usually contested more seats than the BJP. For example, in the 2020 assembly polls, the JDU contested 115 seats while the BJP contested 110. But this year, both parties contested an equal 101 seats each.

BJP’s steady growth in Bihar

The BJP has performed better than ever before. It has crossed its previous highest tally of 91 seats achieved in the 2010 elections. In 2015, the party had managed to win only 53 seats, and in 2020, it won 74 seats. This year’s results clearly show the party’s growing influence in the state.

JDU improves but still behind BJP

The JDU is also performing better than in 2020, when it won just 43 seats. This time, it is leading on 84 seats, with a strong strike rate of over 80%. The party had also done well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning 12 out of the 16 seats it contested. The BJP had also won 12 seats then.

Overall, the results this year highlight a major political shift in Bihar, with the BJP taking the lead within the NDA and the alliance comfortably heading towards forming the next government.