Modi gains momentum as BJP dominates Bihar state elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies secured a decisive victory in Bihar's legislative assembly elections
BIHAR, India (MNTV) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies have swept Bihar’s legislative assembly elections, securing leads in more than 200 of the state’s 243 seats as counting wrapped up Friday.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—made up of the BJP and its key regional partner, Janata Dal (United)—outperformed the opposition Grand Alliance led by the Congress party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which held fewer than 40 leads.
Bihar, one of India’s poorest states and home to roughly 130 million people, recorded the highest voter turnout in its history. Of the 74 million registered voters, 66.91 percent cast ballots, the strongest participation since the state’s first elections in 1951.
Women voters played an especially decisive role.
Their turnout reached 71.6 percent, far surpassing the 62.8 percent turnout among men. Analysts said the BJP’s targeted outreach to women significantly strengthened its performance.
In September, the BJP government transferred about $880 million to 7.5 million women through a seed fund program that provides direct cash support for micro-enterprises in agriculture, handicrafts, and other local industries.
The vote took place amid controversy over a major revision of electoral rolls. India’s Election Commission removed 4.7 million names from the registry—a move the opposition says disproportionately affected poor and Muslim voters, who are more likely to back their coalition. Both the BJP and the commission deny any wrongdoing.
The Bihar election was widely viewed as a barometer of Modi’s standing after June’s national elections, where the BJP fell short of a majority and had to rely on regional allies, including JD(U), to retain power.
The contest may also signal a generational shift.
This could be the last major election for two long-dominant regional leaders—JD(U) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad Yadav—both in their 70s and reportedly in declining health. The pair have defined Bihar’s politics for nearly 40 years.
With yet another state victory, the BJP extends its momentum following the national vote and turns its attention to upcoming elections in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—states where the party has historically struggled to make electoral gains.
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