India & World

The results showed a complete polarisation on caste lines, where almost every community except Yadavs and a section of Muslims abandoned the Grand Alliance

A serious dent in the M-Y combination that will be an existential threat to the RJD. And the lowest number of Muslim lawmakers in the incoming assembly– only 11

After Haryana and Maharashtra, Bihar is third consecutive election after the 2024 general election where the Oppn campaign lost its way after a promising start

Facing two decades of discontent in a young state, the NDA decided to unleash a barrage of welfare schemes

90% of Bihar’s 74.2 million-strong electorate has seen the 15-year-long rule of the Rashtriya Janata Dal between 1990 and 2005

A Congress leader admitted the Bihar performance weakens its claim to seats in Hindi belt talks, while partners say the party had relied entirely on RJD’s base

Leaders credited the win to caste coalition-building, Nitish-Modi appeal, early groundwork and a no-negative-campaign strategy, backed by welfare schemes

Bihar’s win has, yet again, reiterated the relevance and importance of cash transfers and women-oriented welfare schemes.

Modi said some parties still relied on the “old MY formula”, a reference to RJD’s Muslim and Yadav vote base, adding that a new electoral equation had emerged

The NDA beat back two decades of anti-incumbency using a cocktail of cash transfers, welfare outreach, smart campaigning and Nitish Kumar’s goodwill