Will Nitish Kumar’s Metro Launch Influence Bihar Elections?

Digital Desk

Just hours before the Bihar elections were officially announced on October 6, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the Patna Metro at 4 PM. With the model code of conduct coming into effect immediately afterward, the timing of the launch has raised questions about its potential electoral impact.

Over the past 12 years, several Indian states have witnessed metro projects being launched shortly before elections. In six states where such pre-election launches occurred, the party responsible for the inauguration went on to form the government in four cases—a notable 67% success rate.

Metro Launches and Electoral Outcomes: A Timeline

2013, Rajasthan – Jaipur Metro
CM Ashok Gehlot flagged off Jaipur Metro’s trial run on September 18, three months before assembly elections. Congress, in power then, suffered a heavy defeat, winning only 21 of 200 seats, while BJP captured 163. In Jaipur district, Congress managed just 1 of 19 seats.
2017, Uttar Pradesh – Kanpur and Lucknow Metros
The SP government under CM Akhilesh Yadav launched Lucknow Metro on December 1, 2016, and laid the foundation stone for Kanpur Metro in October. In the February-March 2017 elections, SP won only 47 of 403 seats; BJP formed the government with 312 seats.
2022, Uttar Pradesh – Kanpur Metro Phase-1
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Kanpur Metro Phase-1 in December 2021. Two months later, BJP retained power, winning 255 seats and 7 of 10 seats in Kanpur, with Yogi Adityanath continuing as CM.
2023, Madhya Pradesh – Bhopal Metro
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Bhopal Metro trial run 45 days before elections. BJP won 163 of 230 assembly seats, while in Bhopal district, they captured 6 of 7 seats.
2024, Maharashtra – Pune and Mumbai Metros
PM Modi inaugurated parts of Pune Metro on September 29 and Mumbai Metro Line-3 Phase-1 on October 5. The ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena, NCP-Ajit faction) won 230 of 288 seats.
2025, Delhi – Delhi Metro Phase-4
PM Modi inaugurated Delhi Metro Phase-4 on January 5, while AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal government was in power. BJP won 48 of 70 seats, forming government after 27 years, with Rekha Gupta as CM.

Do Metro Launches Affect Elections?

Analysis shows metro inaugurations often coincide with electoral gains. In four out of six cases, the party responsible benefited significantly.

Srinivas Goli, Associate Professor at Mumbai’s International Institute of Population Sciences, explains:

“Urban voters, who make up 40-42% of India’s population, often equate urbanisation with development. Metro projects have become tools for political advantage. Continuation of these projects may vary depending on election outcomes.”

In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s Patna Metro launch is being seen in a similar light. Amarnath Tiwari, Senior Assistant Editor of The Hindu, notes:

“Patna, being a B- and C-grade city, will benefit from the metro, but the timing of its inauguration is clearly politically strategic. Its electoral impact will only be clear post-elections.”

Senior journalist Arvind Mohan adds:

“High-visibility projects like metro launches influence voter perception. While metros are vital for city development, inaugurating them just before polls is a political tactic. It often signals pre-election manoeuvring rather than genuine planning.”

As Bihar heads to the polls, Nitish Kumar’s metro initiative is being closely watched as a potential factor in shaping voter sentiment.