In Bihar's Seemanchal region, the NDA secured a decisive victory by winning 14 out of 24 seats, despite the area having a significant Muslim population. The region comprises Purnia, Araria, Katihar, and Kishanganj districts. Muslim votes were divided between the Mahagathbandhan and Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, preventing the Opposition from consolidating support. The NDA effectively mobilized Hindu voters across caste lines. The BJP claimed 7 seats, JD(U) won 5, and Chirag Paswan's LJP(RV) secured 2. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan managed only 5 seats in total—Congress won 4 and RJD 1. AIMIM captured 5 seats, matching its 2020 performance. This outcome demonstrates that high minority populations do not automatically guarantee Opposition success. The vote split among Muslim-majority constituencies allowed the NDA to dominate a region traditionally seen as favorable to the RJD-Congress alliance.
NDA Gains Despite Vote Split in Muslim-Majority Region
Seemanchal has substantial Muslim populations: Kishanganj at 67.89%, Katihar at 44.47%, Araria at 42.95%, and Purnia at 38.46%. Despite these demographics favoring the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan with its Muslim-Yadav support base, the alliance faltered. The AIMIM won seats in Bahadurganj, Kochadhaman, Amour, Baisi, and Jokihat. In Jokihat, RJD's Shahnawaz finished fourth behind AIMIM, JD(U), and Jan Suraaj's Sarfaraz Alam, who is Shahnawaz's brother. Congress showed relatively better performance in Seemanchal compared to other Bihar regions, benefiting from some sympathy towards Rahul Gandhi among local Muslims. Compared to 2020, when NDA won 12 seats, Mahagathbandhan 7, and AIMIM 5, the NDA improved while Mahagathbandhan's tally declined significantly.
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