The 2025 Bihar Assembly Election has delivered one of the biggest political turnarounds in recent memory. Early trends and the latest figures from the Election Commission of India indicate a decisive surge for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), placing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party, the Janata Dal (United), back at the forefront of Bihar’s political landscape.
The NDA appears headed for a landslide victory, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 122 seats and trending toward 190+ seats. What stands out most is the remarkable performance of JD(U), which is leading in over 75 of the 101 seats it contested, significantly boosting the alliance’s strength as it prepares to retain power in the state.
Nitish’s Dramatic Revival After Two Decades in Power
If the trends hold, JD(U)’s resurgence marks a dramatic comeback for a party battling nearly twenty years of anti-incumbency. Compared to its 2020 tally, JD(U) has added almost 30 additional seats, while retaining an impressive 88% of the seats it previously held.
The BJP, meanwhile, is leading in around 86 seats, making the internal power dynamics within the NDA one of the most closely watched subplots of this election.
Who Is the ‘Big Brother’ Now—BJP or JD(U)?
This election has re-ignited the longstanding debate over who holds the mantle of “Big Brother” within the NDA in Bihar — the BJP or Nitish Kumar’s JD(U).
In the 2020 assembly polls, the BJP emerged stronger than JD(U), defeating Nitish’s party for the first time in two decades. That year, JD(U) contested 115 seats and won just 43, while the BJP contested 110 and secured 74 seats.
But 2025 tells a different story.
Despite equal seat-sharing negotiations with the BJP, the JD(U) has proved that it cannot be underestimated. Its strong grassroots network, Nitish Kumar’s governance credentials, and a consolidation among key voter groups appear to have powered this stunning revival.
Final Tally Will Decide the Real Power Centre
As counting progresses, all eyes are on the final numbers. The outcome will not only determine the next government in Bihar but will decisively answer a bigger political question:
Has Nitish Kumar reclaimed the position of Bihar’s ‘Big Brother’?
With JD(U) outperforming expectations and the BJP holding strong, the 2025 election is reshaping Bihar’s political hierarchy once again—possibly in Nitish Kumar’s favour.
