When the NDA won 85 percent of the seats in Bihar, it dealt a massive blow to the Congress–RJD alliance. The influence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen as the decisive factor behind this remarkable victory.
After the end of the Lalu–Rabri era, Nitish assumed power in 2005. His governance in the following five years delivered extraordinary results in the 2010 assembly elections. Under his leadership, the NDA secured 206 out of 243 seats, achieving 85% success—one of the biggest wins in Bihar’s history. In the 15th Assembly, the NDA grew stronger, gaining 63 more seats. The BJP added 36, while the JD(U) gained 27. On the other hand, the RJD weakened, winning only 22 seats, a loss of 32. Congress dropped drastically from 54 seats to just 4.
The foundation for this success was laid in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The JD(U) won 20 and the BJP 12 seats. Compared to only 11 combined in 2004, this surge took the NDA to 40 seats in 2009, setting the stage for their 2010 landslide.
Nitish’s governance stood out with law and order reforms and development projects. Crime fell sharply, and people felt safe even at night. The cycle scheme for schoolgirls brought a revolution in education and became popular nationwide, further boosting Nitish’s image.
