The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) clinched a decisive victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, strengthened by effective welfare delivery and broad caste support. Post-poll surveys by PollsMap reveal how schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana shaped voter choices, while caste polarizations favored the NDA across most communities.
The 2025 Bihar Assembly election results surprised many observers in their intensity, though a win was anticipated. PollsMap survey data indicates that welfare schemes under the Janata Dal (United)-led government achieved extensive penetration. More than four-fifths of households benefited from the Har Ghar Bijli Yojana, while nearly seven in ten received support from the Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal Yojana. Roughly one-third of households gained from the Balika Poshak Yojana, and about one-fifth from the Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, providing ₹1,000 monthly to unemployed youth.
The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, launched just before the polls, offered ₹10,000 direct cash to women, with nearly three in five respondents or their households benefiting. Around seven in ten beneficiaries credited the state government, bolstering the NDA's position. NDA support was higher among beneficiaries than non-beneficiaries; for the women's scheme, 54% of beneficiaries versus 35% of non-beneficiaries backed the NDA.
Caste and class dynamics played key roles. Among Yadavs, 74% voted for the Mahagatbandhan (MGB), down from 84% in 2020. Muslims gave 70% to MGB, down from 76%, with 7% to NDA and 9% to AIMIM, which won five Muslim-dominated seats. Upper castes shifted to 67% for NDA from 54%. Kurmi-Koeri voters supported NDA at 71%, lower OBCs at 68%, and Dalits at 60%.
On class lines, 58% of upper and middle-class voters chose NDA, up from 2020 figures. Poor voters split evenly at 38% each for NDA and MGB, while lower-income groups favored NDA 44% to 41%. Tejashwi Yadav's one-job-per-household promise influenced 36% 'a lot' and 23% 'somewhat,' while JD(U)'s one-crore-jobs pledge affected 28% 'a lot' and 32% 'somewhat.' Though 53% viewed schemes as election freebies, they still propelled NDA support.
Post-election, after Nitish Kumar's oath-taking, RJD countered NDA on nepotism via a social media post, highlighting familial ties of leaders like Santosh Manjhi, Deepak Prakash, Shreyasi Singh, accusing Bihar's power structure of political dynasty.
