Prof Mithilesh Kumar Sinha
Professor in Economics, Nagaland University, Lumami
The results of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 have once again given a clear message. The public is no longer ready to accept mere allegations and negative politics. The defeat of the Grand Alliance, especially the weak performance of the Congress, is being directly linked to the campaign of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi's campaign was mostly based on 'vote theft', distrust of constitutional institutions and cultural controversy. Whereas for the common voters of Bihar, the real issues were everyday questions like development, employment, education, health and migration, Voters made their decision known through voting. Voters have given a clear message - we do not want allegations, we want solutions; we do not want politics, we want progress
The opposition grand alliance had to face a crushing defeat in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. The opposition alliance comprising RJD, Congress and Left parties was reduced to less than 35 seats. The performance of the opposition in the election results on Friday was so disappointing that no one could have imagined before the elections. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which was the largest party in the last elections, had to struggle to save the opposition position in the Assembly in this election. RJD could barely save the post of Leader of Opposition) On the other hand In the election results, the ruling NDA seems to be crossing the 200 seats mark. BJP is seen getting 89 seats, JDU 85, LJP (Ram Vilas) 19, HAMS 5 and Rashtriya Lok Morcha four. The magic number to form government in Bihar is 122. Looking at the performance of NDA, it seems that even they would not have expected such results
Questions arise who and what reasons are responsible for such a shameful defeat of Grand Alliance? The reason for the downfall of the Grand Alliance is Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Yadav himself and the thinking of the Congress Party. Whose center point is Rahul Gandhi... and whatever was left, Mukesh Sahni completed it
1. Even before the campaign for Bihar Assembly elections started, a tussle had started between Congress and RJD regarding ticket distribution. After the announcement of elections, both the parties could not decide on the strategy regarding seat sharing till one day before the last date of nomination for the first phase. Both RJD and Congress had fielded candidates on many seats. NDA took full advantage of this tension between them and at the same time announced seat sharing with its allies. Due to the rift between RJD and Congress, the public also thought it better to stay away from them.
2. Rahul Gandhi's election campaign mostly focused on allegations and national issues. Vote theft, SIR and questions on constitutional institutions became his priority. But the rural and young voters of Bihar wanted to talk about grassroots problems like employment, health, education and migration. The negative narrative drove them apart instead of uniting them
3. A major reason behind RJD's defeat in Bihar elections was that this time RJD, while leading the grand alliance, fielded 52 candidates from the Yadav community. Due to this, a clear message was sent to other castes of Bihar that RJD only wants the welfare of its Yadav community.
4. The allegations against the Vote Stealing Yatra and the Election Commission had the opposite effect on the public. Repeatedly making allegations without solid evidence forced voters to doubt his sincerity in a democracy. People started thinking that the blame game has become an election weapon for Rahul Gandhi and not a medium of solution
The voters of Bihar have given a clear message that negative politics, allegations and counter-allegations and disputes over sensitive issues no longer work. The Opposition including the Congress needs to change its political style, strengthen its organization and focus on the real issues of the people.
