Nitish Boxed

Indian politics has always been like a Punjabi wedding: loud, chaotic, and impossibly dramatic. The Bihar elections were no exception. As Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, and their allies circled each other, conspiracy theories swirled across Patna and Delhi. Would Nitish flip? Could Tejashwi rise as Deputy CM? Who would betray whom? While political pundits speculated endlessly, Prime Minister Modi watched calmly, his measured body language conveying more than a thousand headlines.

The people of Bihar, however, were not amused by theatrics. They remembered the instability of the 1990s, when prime ministers like Deve Gowda, Chandrashekhar, and PV Narasimha Rao struggled to govern amid weak coalitions. They voted decisively for stability, handing the BJP and its allies a clear path to majority. The grand alliance—the Mahagathbandhan—fell short with just 35 seats, while the BJP-led bloc, including allies, comfortably are  poised at 117 seats needing another six 

for a majority. Nitish Kumar, meanwhile, is politically boxed in with 85 seats; he cannot flip without plunging into minority, leaving the BJP firmly in control.

While Bihar now enjoys political stability, the bigger challenge lies in development. Roads are built, electricity flows, and water supply has improved—but the state remains far behind in industrialization, employment, and economic growth. Prime Minister Modi has made it clear: infrastructure is just the base; Bihar now needs a plan to convert these foundations into real development. Agriculture must link with industry, tourism must be promoted, and jobs must reach every village. The state, stocked with resources like a kitchen full of ingredients, awaits a capable chef to cook a feast of growth.

Gone are the days of appointments based solely on caste or political symbolism. Bihar now has a pool of professionals, educated bureaucrats, and capable ministers who can translate policy into progress. Many elected representatives have administrative experience, from former income tax commissioners to IPS officers, and even talented professionals from arts and business sectors. With a strong mandate, it is imperative that governance prioritize expertise over theatrics, focusing on tangible results rather than political optics.

The Bihar verdict sends a resounding message: while voters tolerate spectacle and drama, they will not tolerate stagnation. They want stability with performance, leadership with accountability, and governance with a clear roadmap for growth. Modi has been reinforced, Nitish has survived, and Bihar now faces its true test—not political survival, but the delivery of development.

Bihar 2025 is a lesson in patience, pragmatism, and foresight. It reminds the country that in Indian democracy, the ultimate authority rests not with pundits, politicians, or media narratives, but with the people—who demand results, not rhetoric. The stage is set. The players are in place. The question is whether Bihar will rise to its potential or remain trapped in the mud of missed opportunities.

In this context, Prime Minister Modi could well be telling Nitish Kumar: “Now sit comfortably on your Chief Minister’s chair. Bihar has handed the central government five years of stability.” 

The message is clear: while political drama has been curtailed, the real work—development, governance, and progress—must now begin.

Quick Stats 

BJP and allies - 117

Others - 9

JD(U) 85