Fri Nov 14 07:30:00 UTC 2025: ## NDA Poised for Victory in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav’s Gambit Fails

Patna, Bihar – Early results from the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections indicate a decisive victory for the NDA alliance (BJP-JDU), leaving Tejashwi Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan reeling. As of 10:45 AM on November 14th, projections show the NDA leading in 185 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan (RJD-Congress-Left) is struggling with just 54. In a stunning turn, Tejashwi Yadav himself is reportedly trailing in his own constituency.

Political analysts attribute the Mahagathbandhan’s poor performance to several strategic missteps:

  • Overreliance on Yadav Candidates: The RJD’s decision to field 52 Yadav candidates, representing 36% of their total candidates, backfired spectacularly. While Yadavs form the RJD’s core vote bank (approximately 14% of the population), the perceived “Yadav Raj” alienated upper castes and Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), who gravitated towards the NDA.
  • Neglecting Alliance Partners: Tejashwi Yadav’s perceived disregard for alliance partners like Congress and Left parties further weakened the Mahagathbandhan. Disputes over seat sharing and a perceived “RJD-centric” approach hindered vote transfer and allowed the NDA to present a united front. Disagreements over key campaign promises, like prioritizing job creation over Congress’s proposed “guarantees,” also created friction.
  • Unsubstantiated Promises: While Tejashwi Yadav promised a plethora of benefits, including government jobs for every household and pension schemes, the lack of concrete implementation plans eroded voter trust. The inability to provide a detailed blueprint for these promises, particularly regarding the funding and execution of mass government employment, fueled skepticism.
  • “Muslim-Appeasement” Narrative: The Mahagathbandhan’s perceived pro-Muslim image, fueled by BJP’s campaign, alienated a significant portion of the electorate, including some within the Yadav community.
  • Mixed Messaging on Lalu Prasad Yadav: Tejashwi’s attempts to distance himself from his father Lalu Prasad Yadav’s “Jungle Raj” legacy while simultaneously embracing his social justice agenda proved confusing and ultimately ineffective. The BJP effectively used this ambiguity to attack Tejashwi, accusing him of trying to hide his father’s alleged misdeeds.

The NDA, led by the BJP and JDU, successfully capitalized on these weaknesses, portraying the Mahagathbandhan as a return to the past and highlighting their own commitment to stability and development. With the NDA poised for a clear victory, Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD face a period of introspection and strategic reassessment to remain relevant in Bihar’s political landscape.

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