Bihar Elections 2025: NDA Banks on Unity as Mahagathbandhan Races Against Time

The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections for all 243 seats are being held in two phases—November 6 and November 11, 2025 with the results set to be declared on November 14 . The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has hit the ground running with a united front, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) scrambles to finalize its seat-sharing arrangement amidst a rapidly closing election schedule .

A Contrast in Preparedness

The NDA, comprising the BJP, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and smaller allies, has presented a picture of organization and strategic clarity. The alliance has finalized its candidate list for all 243 constituencies, with the BJP and JD(U) contesting 101 seats each . The BJP has also unveiled a 40-member list of star campaigners, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, signaling the start of a high-energy campaign .

In stark contrast, the opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, was until recently mired in negotiations to settle its seat-sharing formula . Although an agreement was reportedly reached hours before the nomination deadline for the first phase, the delay gave the NDA early ammunition to claim the opposition bloc was in disarray . Congress has proceeded to release its first list of 48 candidates, even as some allies fielded candidates in overlapping constituencies, creating "friendly contests" that may require last-minute withdrawals .

Key Players and Pivotal Stakes

The election is a critical test for the state's key political figures:

· Nitish Kumar: The incumbent Chief Minister and JD(U) leader, seeking a tenth term, faces a significant anti-incumbency wave after nearly two decades in power . His party's relevance and his personal legacy are on the line.

· Tejashwi Yadav: The Leader of the Opposition and RJD leader, who emerged as a formidable contender in the 2020 elections, is aiming to capitalize on voter fatigue and present himself as a pro-development alternative .

· Chirag Paswan: The leader of LJP(RV), now aligned with the NDA, faces the test of translating his party's success in national elections into a substantial presence in the state assembly .

· Prashant Kishor: The election strategist-turned-politician is making his electoral debut, with his Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) contesting all 243 seats independently in a bid to disrupt Bihar's established political duopoly .

The Campaign Narrative and Electoral Landscape

The NDA is campaigning on a platform of continuity and stability, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasizing development and accusing the opposition of promoting "mafia" elements . The opposition, meanwhile, is targeting the government on issues of corruption, unemployment, and policy stagnation .

A significant factor in this closely fought election is the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, which led to a reduction of millions of voters . Given that the 2020 election was won by a razor-thin margin of just 0.03% of the vote share, even minor shifts in the electorate could prove decisive .

As Bihar enters the final leg of campaigning, the NDA's early momentum and organizational cohesion will be challenged by the Mahagathbandhan's attempt to consolidate anti-incumbency votes. The outcome will determine not only the next government but also the balance of power in a state crucial to national politics.