Only NDA Can Beat NDA — Not Mahagathbandhan
By S.N. Verma
As Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, the political atmosphere is already charged with alliances, internal tussles, and strategic maneuvering. Yet, one fact stands out starkly amidst the chaos: only the NDA can beat the NDA, not the Mahagathbandhan.
Unlike previous election cycles marked by prolonged negotiations and last-minute compromises, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has displayed rare political maturity and organizational discipline this time. The seat-sharing arrangement among NDA partners — the BJP and JD(U) with 101 seats each, Chirag Paswan’s faction with 29, and Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha with six each — was finalized well before the commencement of the election process. This early consensus reflects the NDA’s united front and electoral readiness.
From joint rallies to synchronized messaging, NDA leaders have projected a picture of cohesion and clarity. Their campaign narrative emphasizes governance stability, development, and social balance — a strategy designed to consolidate their core vote base and reach fence-sitters simultaneously.
In sharp contrast, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is mired in internal conflict, confusion, and poor coordination. Even as nominations closed for the first phase of polling, the alliance could not finalize its seat-sharing arrangement. The result? Congress, RJD, and Left candidates are contesting against each other in several constituencies.
The friction between the RJD and Congress has been particularly damaging. The RJD’s decision to field a candidate against Congress State President Rajesh Ram in Kutumba has sparked open revolt, while the Congress’s hasty release of its second list only deepened factionalism. CPI and CPI(ML) nominees have been fielded against Congress candidates in multiple seats — from Rosera and Rajapakar to Bihar Sharif and Rajgir — further splitting the opposition vote.
Even smaller allies like the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) have joined the rebellion, announcing independent contests on several seats. To make matters worse, the Congress itself faces rebellion within its ranks, with senior leaders accusing the top brass of irregularities in ticket distribution.
Meanwhile, NDA’s election machinery is functioning like a well-oiled engine — candidates finalized, constituencies divided, and campaigns synchronized. The message is clear and consistent: stability, continuity, and governance delivery.
Political observers agree that, at this point, NDA’s biggest challenge is not the opposition but internal complacency. If the alliance can maintain its discipline, cohesion, and voter connect, the Mahagathbandhan’s fragmented house will find it nearly impossible to pose a credible challenge.
As polling draws near — 121 seats across 18 districts voting on November 6 and 122 seats across 20 districts on November 11 — early indicators from the ground suggest a significant lead for the NDA. Several pollsters have already projected an NDA tally of 150-plus seats, signaling a comfortable majority.
The conclusion is inescapable: in Bihar’s 2025 elections, only the NDA can beat the NDA. The Mahagathbandhan, burdened by its internal contradictions and lack of leadership coherence, appears more likely to defeat itself than its rival.
