Nitish Kumar has been unanimously elected as the NDA leader and will take oath as Bihar CM for a record 10th time on November 20, following a massive election victory.
Brajesh Mishra
Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the JD(U) legislature party and subsequently the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar on November 18, 2025. This formal endorsement clears the path for him to take the oath as Chief Minister for a record 10th time on November 20 at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. The development follows a landslide election victory where the NDA secured 202 of 243 seats, decimating the opposition RJD and validating Nitish's "sushasan" (good governance) model.
The elections, held on November 6 and 11, saw a historic voter turnout of 67.13%, driven by an unprecedented 12-point surge in women's participation (71.78%). While the RJD collapsed from 75 to 25 seats, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 89 seats, surpassing JD(U)'s 85. Despite this numerical advantage, the BJP has adhered to its pre-poll commitment to back Nitish as CM, maintaining coalition stability. Nitish resigned on November 17 to dissolve the previous cabinet, setting the stage for this week's government formation.
While the headlines celebrate Nitish's "unanimous" election, the deeper story is the "Silent Power Shift." For the first time, the BJP is the big brother in the Bihar alliance (89 seats vs. JD(U)'s 85). The unanimous vote wasn't just a show of unity; it was a strategic concession by a BJP that knows it can now control the government from within. With the NDA holding a supermajority (202 seats), Nitish's 10th term may effectively be a transition period for a BJP takeover, hiding behind the face of a veteran socialist.
The massive mandate allows the NDA to pass virtually any legislation without opposition. However, the new power dynamics mean Nitish may lose control over key portfolios like Home or Finance to the BJP. The historic women's turnout suggests a permanent shift in Bihar's voting bloc—welfare beneficiaries are now a distinct political constituency that outweighs traditional caste loyalties. This model will likely be replicated by the BJP in national elections.
If the BJP has the numbers to rule (with allies) without JD(U), is Nitish Kumar now a Chief Minister by power, or by permission?
Who won the Bihar elections 2025? The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Nitish Kumar and the BJP, won a landslide victory, securing 202 out of 243 seats. The opposition RJD-led Mahagathbandhan was reduced to just 35 seats.
How many times has Nitish Kumar been CM? With his upcoming swearing-in on November 20, 2025, Nitish Kumar will be serving his record 10th term as the Chief Minister of Bihar.
Why did women voters turnout increase in Bihar 2025? Women's voter turnout surged to a historic 71.78%, surpassing men by over 8 percentage points. Analysts attribute this to Nitish Kumar's long-standing welfare schemes for women, such as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and prohibition laws.
What happened to RJD in Bihar 2025? The RJD suffered its worst defeat in decades, dropping from 75 seats in 2020 to just 25 seats in 2025. The party lost significant ground in its traditional Muslim-Yadav strongholds to the NDA and AIMIM.
Who is the new Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar? While not officially announced, it is expected that the BJP, as the single largest party with 89 seats, will claim both Deputy CM posts. Names like Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha are in circulation.
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