PM Modi Predicts "Historic NDA Majority" as Bihar Assembly Polls Commence with Record Turnout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed strong confidence in a "historic NDA majority" as the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections commenced on Thursday, November 6, 2025. This crucial electoral exercise will determine the state's leadership for the next five years, according to Al Jazeera.

The initial phase saw voting across 121 of Bihar's 243 constituencies in 18 districts, with over 3.75 crore eligible voters participating, as reported by India News. The high stakes for the ruling coalition are evident amidst active campaigning by top leaders from all parties [cite: original article, 18].

A significant development was the record-breaking voter turnout, reaching 64.66% in the first phase, the highest ever recorded in Bihar's Assembly election history, according to The Hindu. This surpasses the 2000 Assembly election turnout of 62.57% and the 2020 first-phase turnout of 57.29%.

Prime Minister Modi actively campaigned, urging voters to participate enthusiastically and accusing the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of past "jungle raj" (lawlessness), newsonair reported. He emphasized that every vote contributes to Bihar's progress and bright future.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and several other regional parties, as detailed by India Today. This alliance faces a challenge from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party.

The elections are widely seen as a significant test of Prime Minister Modi's popularity and serve as a bellwether for the broader national mood, particularly after his return to power with a diminished mandate in June 2024, Al Jazeera noted. Bihar, India's third-most populous state, holds substantial political clout despite being the poorest.

• Historical Context and Political Landscape: Bihar's political scene has historically been dominated by regional parties and leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, as highlighted by The Diplomat. The state has often witnessed bipolar contests between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, with the 2020 elections resulting in a narrow victory for the NDA with 125 seats against the MGB's 110.

• Key Alliances and Their Composition: The ruling NDA includes the BJP, JD(U), Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha, according to The Times of India. The opposition Mahagathbandhan is led by the RJD and Congress, supported by Left parties and other regional outfits.

• Dominant Election Issues: Key issues driving the campaign include persistent unemployment, significant out-migration from the state, and women's empowerment, as reported by The Economic Times. Both major blocs have pledged to create jobs and implement welfare schemes, with women voters, who constitute nearly half of the electorate, being a crucial demographic.

• Role of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party: The entry of political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and his Jan Suraaj Party has complicated the traditional bipolar contest, transforming it into a triangular one, The Diplomat stated. His party has fielded candidates in all 243 seats, aiming to offer a third alternative to the established alliances.

• Impact on National Politics: The Bihar elections are a critical test for Prime Minister Modi's popularity and the BJP's ability to maintain its winning streak in state elections, especially after the 2024 national elections where the party failed to secure a majority on its own, Al Jazeera reported. A strong NDA performance in Bihar could bolster the party's prospects in other non-NDA states scheduled for elections in 2026.

• Voter Turnout and Democratic Engagement: The record 64.66% voter turnout in the first phase, with enthusiastic participation from women, underscores a strong democratic engagement in Bihar, according to the Election Commission of India. Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal noted the significant increase compared to previous elections, reflecting heightened public participation.

• Controversies and Campaign Dynamics: The campaign has seen accusations from the opposition regarding a "Special Intensive Revision" of electoral rolls, which critics claimed could disenfranchise poor voters, The Washington Post reported. Prime Minister Modi, conversely, has used rallies to criticize the RJD's past governance, alleging a return to "jungle raj" if the opposition were to win.

• Key Candidates and Constituencies: Prominent leaders whose fates are being decided include Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasad Yadav from Raghopur, and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur, as highlighted by India News. The first phase also saw contests involving other significant figures like Tej Pratap Yadav and BJP's folk singer Maithili Thakur.