The Bihar election marked the end of the Lalu-Rabri era and the rise of Nitish Kumar. Nearly 70% of RJD leaders were defeated, showing a clear shift in the state’s politics. Nitish Kumar became the Chief Minister, and this result reshaped Bihar’s political landscape.
In February 2005, Bihar witnessed a hung assembly. No party could form a stable government, which led to President’s Rule for about 262 days. Later, in October 2005, re-elections gave the NDA a clear majority, bringing an end to instability.
On 24 November 2005, Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister, while Rabri Devi of RJD became the Leader of Opposition. The public was tired of corruption, poor law and order, unemployment, and migration during the Lalu-Rabri era. Nitish’s promise of good governance and simple style appealed to the masses.
His Nyay Yatra across districts like Champaran and Kishanganj connected him with common people. In the re-election, NDA secured 143 seats with 36% votes, while RJD and Congress faced heavy losses. This mandate ended 15 years of Lalu-Rabri rule and gave Bihar a new political direction under Nitish Kumar.
