Despite two decades at the helm of Bihar, Nitish Kumar continues to command overwhelming support from voters across demographics, forcing the BJP to rally behind him as the NDA's chief ministerial face for the assembly elections. The 74-year-old JD(U) leader, who has served as Chief Minister since 2005 except for a brief interval, enjoys unparalleled trust among Biharis, particularly women who form his core support base. Even BJP leaders privately admit they underestimated the depth of public faith in Nitish, who is seen as honest, corruption-free, and the architect of Bihar's transformation from lawlessness to stability. Unlike 2020, when the JD(U) won 43 seats against the BJP's 74, both allies are now contesting 101 seats each, reflecting parity forced by ground realities. Voters dismiss concerns about Nitish's health as media-driven narratives, instead praising his initiatives ranging from free bicycles for schoolgirls to 35% job quotas for women and the controversial prohibition policy. Meanwhile, the BJP struggles with a leadership vacuum in Bihar, with its top three state leaders facing corruption allegations. In contrast, the RJD, despite Tejashwi Yadav's push on unemployment issues, has failed to convince voters of a new era, with internal friction and memories of alleged past misgovernance undermining its campaign. Chirag Paswan emerges as a new NDA star, while the BJP acknowledges only five major crowd pullers including Nitish himself.
Women Stand Behind Nitish After 20 Years
From Patna to Champaran, women across Bihar credit Nitish Kumar for transforming their lives. Abhilasha Devi, a mother of four who recently started selling fruits in Motihari, attributes her business to the Rs 10,000 received under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana announced before elections. She says Nitish made it possible for women to step outside safely after decades of alleged crime during previous governments. Village after village, women appreciate schemes like the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana introduced in 2006, which provided free bicycles to schoolgirls, along with 50% reservation in panchayats and urban local bodies. Researchers note that prohibition has significantly reduced domestic violence, despite opposition criticism about spurious liquor incidents. Women form the bedrock of Nitish's support base, viewing him as the leader who gave them education access, employment priority, and personal safety after years of fear.
BJP Struggles with Leadership Vacuum in Bihar
The BJP has failed to develop strong state-level leadership in Bihar despite controlling significant legislative strength. A BJP MP from Bihar openly admits this lapse, which did not hurt much in 2020 when the Modi wave remained strong but now poses serious challenges. All three top state BJP leaders, including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, state chief Dilip Jaiswal, and minister Mangal Pandey, face corruption allegations from Prashant Kishor, damaging their credibility. Even BJP sources concede they have only five major crowd pullers: PM Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, Chirag Paswan, and Nitish Kumar himself. Critics point out the BJP's failure in promoting young faces or balancing caste equations properly, giving more tickets to backward classes despite upper-caste loyalty. Minister Nitin Nabin claims the BJP deliberately took a backseat to avoid toppling anyone, but observers note the party appears desperate to ensure Nitish wins, working with complete dedication unlike previous elections.
Voters Dismiss Health Concerns and Alliance Shifts
Across Bihar, voters reject media narratives questioning Nitish Kumar's health or capability at age 74. Supporters point to his active campaign schedule, regular rallies, and roadshows as proof of fitness. His frequent alliance changes, often criticized as political opportunism, are rationalized by voters as necessary corrections when partners became corrupt. One Patna resident calls him the guardian of Bihar, someone who cannot go wrong. Farmers and professionals alike emphasize his honesty and absence of corruption allegations, contrasting sharply with rivals. Even BJP supporters acknowledge there is no one like Nitish for Bihar. His two-decade tenure is credited with tackling lawlessness, constructing roads, and lifting living standards. Voters dismiss challenges from newcomers like Prashant Kishor, questioning where they were when Nitish was fighting crime and building infrastructure. This trust cuts across caste, class, gender, and age groups, making him irreplaceable in Bihar politics despite long years in power.
RJD Fails to Convince Voters Despite Tejashwi's Push
The RJD struggles to project a credible alternative despite Tejashwi Yadav's focus on unemployment and jobs. While RJD leaders claim Tejashwi gave 5 lakh jobs and initiated processes for 3.5 lakh more during his 17 months as Deputy CM, voters remain unconvinced about a new era under his leadership. The RJD accuses the BJP of making elections a Hindu-Muslim fight, but a significant portion of Bihar's electorate has not witnessed the alleged jungle raj of Lalu Prasad's era, making historical arguments less effective. Internal friction within the Mahagathbandhan adds to problems. Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi, despite leading a joint Vote Adhikar Yatra, barely campaigned together in the first phase. Elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav floated a separate party contesting 22 seats, further splitting votes. Observers note this rift damages voter confidence, making it difficult to convince non-loyal supporters to back the RJD given its past record and current divisions.
Source: Link