As Bihar heads into the first phase of its high-stakes 2025 Assembly Elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is strategically banking on its reinforced alliance and a slew of welfare schemes to regain ground in constituencies where the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) had outperformed in the previous election. With voting underway in 121 constituencies, the NDA is aiming to flip the script in regions like Shahabad, Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, and Siwan—areas that proved challenging in 2020.
In the last assembly elections, the RJD-led MGB secured 61 of the 121 seats contested in Phase 1, while the NDA managed 59. However, the political landscape has shifted significantly since then. The return of key allies—Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party—has bolstered the NDA’s social coalition, giving it renewed confidence in reclaiming lost ground.
🧠 NDA’s Strategic Pillars for Bihar 2025
| Strategy Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Reinforced Alliance | Reunification with LJP (Ram Vilas) and RLSP |
| Welfare Schemes | ₹10,000 cash transfer to 1.3 crore women, rural housing, and job schemes |
| Infrastructure Development | Road upgrades, electricity access, and irrigation projects |
| Women-Centric Campaigning | Focus on female voters through direct benefit transfers and safety measures |
| Youth Employment Promises | Skill development, startup incentives, and local job creation |
The NDA’s campaign narrative is centered around “Viksit Bihar” (Developed Bihar), contrasting it with the opposition’s “Jungle Raj” rhetoric.
📊 Phase 1 Constituency Performance – 2020 vs 2025 Outlook
| Region | 2020 Seats Won (MGB) | 2020 Seats Won (NDA) | 2025 NDA Target | Key Factors in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahabad | 18 | 12 | 20+ | Alliance unity, caste arithmetic |
| Patna | 10 | 11 | 13+ | Urban voter turnout, infrastructure push |
| Bhojpur | 9 | 7 | 10+ | Welfare schemes, women voters |
| Saran | 12 | 10 | 13+ | Paswan factor, rural outreach |
| Siwan | 12 | 9 | 11+ | Youth employment, law and order narrative |
The NDA is targeting a net gain of 10–12 seats in Phase 1 to build early momentum.
📈 Timeline of NDA’s Campaign Build-Up
| Date | Event Description | Impact on Campaign |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Alliance with LJP (Ram Vilas) and RLSP finalized | Strengthened caste coalition |
| Oct 2025 | ₹10,000 cash transfer to 1.3 crore women announced | Boosted NDA’s appeal among women voters |
| Oct 2025 | PM Modi’s rallies in Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur | Energized cadre and media coverage |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Phase 1 polling in 121 constituencies | Crucial test of NDA’s strategy |
The NDA’s campaign has been marked by high-decibel rallies, door-to-door outreach, and digital mobilization.
🗣️ Voices from the Ground
| Stakeholder | Commentary Summary |
|---|---|
| CM Nitish Kumar | “Our work speaks for itself—roads, electricity, and women’s empowerment.” |
| BJP President JP Nadda | “The NDA is united and stronger than ever before.” |
| RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav | “People want change, not slogans.” |
| Voters in Buxar | “We’ve seen development, but jobs are still a concern.” |
The electorate remains divided, with development and employment emerging as top issues.
📌 Key Welfare Schemes Highlighted by NDA
| Scheme Name | Beneficiaries Targeted | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ₹10,000 Direct Transfer | 1.3 crore women | Financial aid to empower rural households |
| PM Awas Yojana (Urban + Rural) | Low-income families | Housing support for the underprivileged |
| Jal Jeevan Mission | Rural households | Tap water connections in every home |
| PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 | Women in BPL families | Free LPG connections and refills |
| Skill India Mission | Youth and job seekers | Vocational training and employment linkage |
These schemes form the backbone of NDA’s voter outreach in rural and semi-urban constituencies.
📌 Conclusion
As Bihar’s 2025 Assembly Elections unfold, the NDA is betting big on its reunified alliance and targeted welfare delivery to reclaim opposition strongholds. With a focus on women, youth, and rural voters, the coalition hopes to rewrite the narrative in regions where it narrowly lost in 2020. Whether this strategy translates into electoral gains will become clearer as the results unfold on November 17.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available election data, party manifestos, and media reports. It is intended for informational and editorial purposes only and does not constitute political advice or endorsement.
