The Bihar Election 2005 turned into a historic political drama. Nitish Kumar’s growing popularity challenged Lalu Prasad’s dominance, but no party secured a majority. The February 2005 election, the first after Jharkhand’s creation, reduced Bihar’s assembly strength to 243. The results produced a hung assembly—RJD won 75 seats, JD(U) 55, BJP 37, Congress 10, Independents 17, while Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP surprised many with 29 seats.
Despite forming the second-largest bloc, the JD(U)-BJP alliance could not stake claim as LJP refused to support either side. Political instability deepened, and newly elected MLAs could not even take oath before the assembly was dissolved. Senior leaders rushed to Delhi, where crucial meetings were held at George Fernandes’ residence to find a way forward.
The deadlock forced the imposition of President’s Rule. Reports suggest President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was displeased and even considered resignation, but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convinced him to stay.
The crisis eventually led to fresh elections later that year. This second poll shifted Bihar’s political landscape, paving the way for Nitish Kumar’s rise and ending Lalu Prasad’s long dominance. The Bihar Election 2005 remains a defining chapter in the state’s political history.
