The Bihar election results 2025 will be declared on November 14, after voting concludes in two phases across all 243 assembly constituencies. The election will decide whether the JD(U)-BJP-led NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar keeps control or if the RJD-led INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav, ends his nine-term rule.
The first phase of voting took place on November 6, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts. It recorded a 65.08% voter turnout, which was significantly higher than the 57.29% turnout in 2020.
The second phase, scheduled for November 11, will cover the remaining 122 constituencies across 20 districts, including Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, Bhagalpur, and Purnia.
Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that the first phase went peacefully and saw an 8% rise in participation compared to the last assembly polls.
What’s at Stake in the 2025 Bihar Polls
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — comprising the BJP, JD(U), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and smaller allies — currently holds 132 MLAs in the outgoing assembly, well above the 122-seat majority mark.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which was the single largest party in 2020, has 75 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19 and the CPI(ML)-Liberation with 12.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a central figure in Bihar politics for nearly two decades, has changed alliances multiple times since 2020. His deputies, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, are leading the BJP’s campaign within the NDA government.
On the opposition side, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of opposition and son of former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, is focusing on unemployment and development issues to challenge the ruling coalition.
Prashant Kishor’s New Political Role
Adding more interest to the 2025 polls is Prashant Kishor’s debut as a candidate. The political strategist, known for shaping several national campaigns, is contesting through his new party, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP).
His party has fielded candidates in all 243 constituencies, presenting itself as a third front apart from the NDA and the INDIA bloc.
The 2020 Polls and Political Realignments
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA secured 125 seats, just crossing the majority line. The BJP won 74 seats, while the JD(U) claimed 43.
The RJD had emerged as the largest party with 75 seats, but Nitish Kumar formed the government with BJP’s backing.
Since then, Bihar’s politics has witnessed multiple alliance shifts, including Nitish Kumar’s brief return to the RJD in 2022 before rejoining the NDA in 2024.
All Eyes on November 14
As counting begins on November 14, all eyes will be on whether Nitish Kumar secures a record tenth term as chief minister or if Tejashwi Yadav ushers in a new political era in Bihar.