Modi’s Alliance Wins Landslide Victory in Bihar State Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition, the NDA, won a landslide victory in Bihar’s state elections, securing 202 of 243 seats. The BJP alone won 89 seats, boosting Modi’s regional and national influence. The election saw historic voter turnout, particularly among women, and highlighted key issues like unemployment and electoral roll concerns. The win strengthens Modi’s position ahead of upcoming state and national elections.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political coalition has achieved a sweeping and decisive victory in the Bihar state elections, signaling a major boost in regional and national support for his leadership. According to the Election Commission of India, the results released on Friday showed that Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dominated the polls, securing 202 out of the 243 seats in the state assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi’s main party within the alliance, won 89 seats on its own, underscoring its strong influence in the region.

This election was watched closely across India because Bihar is not only one of the most populous states but also a key political battleground. The outcome is seen as a barometer of Modi’s popularity and his party’s performance at a time when issues like unemployment, concerns about law and order, and alleged irregularities in voter roll revisions have been major political talking points. The elections were conducted in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, and witnessed a turnout of 66.91% — the highest voter participation the state has recorded since 1951. Remarkably, more women cast their votes than men, reflecting a shift in civic participation and the growing role of women in shaping political outcomes.

Bihar’s socioeconomic landscape plays a crucial role in shaping its elections. As one of India’s poorest states, it has a large population of young people and a significant number of families where men migrate out to other parts of the country in search of work. This makes women a powerful voting bloc. In September, Modi sought to strengthen support among this demographic by issuing cash transfers of 10,000 rupees (approximately $113) to 7.5 million women under an employment-linked program. Many political analysts believe this move contributed to the NDA’s strong performance.

Unemployment remains one of the state’s most pressing issues, and political parties competing in the election promised large-scale job creation. At the same time, campaigns were overshadowed by accusations from opposition groups, who alleged that Modi’s party engaged in manipulation of the electoral rolls. These claims contributed to tensions between parties but did not appear to significantly affect voter turnout or the NDA’s performance.

The election witnessed a diverse political contest, with more than ten parties participating. However, the primary competition remained between two major alliances: the BJP-led coalition, including the Janata Dal (United) or JDU as its crucial regional partner, and the opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and allied regional groups. A third player also entered the fray — a new party led by Prashant Kishor, a renowned political strategist turned politician, widely credited with shaping Modi’s landmark 2014 national election victory. Although Kishor’s presence introduced a new element into the political landscape, it did not significantly alter the dominance of the major alliances.

Historically, Bihar has played a significant role in national politics, sending 40 representatives to India's lower house of parliament. In the previous assembly elections in 2020, the BJP and its allies succeeded in forming the state government, with JDU leader Nitish Kumar serving as chief minister. This latest victory further consolidates the NDA’s influence and bolsters Modi’s position ahead of upcoming political battles.

The win is especially significant given that the BJP faced a setback in the 2024 national elections, where it failed to secure an outright majority. The party had to rely on coalition partners to form the government at the federal level. Since then, however, the BJP has been regaining momentum through regional successes like the Bihar election. With major state elections looming in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Assam over the next two years, and national elections approaching in 2029, Modi appears determined to maintain this renewed wave of political support.