The adage, “With great power comes great responsibility,” aptly reflects the political landscape in Bihar today. The people of the state have delivered a historic and overwhelming mandate to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), granting it 202 out of 243 Assembly seats. This decisive verdict has once again placed Nitish Kumar at the helm. In a state where caste identity remains a defining social force and with merely 2 per cent of the Kurmi population from which Nitish comes, his tenth term as Chief Minister is an extraordinary achievement.
Nitish’s political trajectory has been remarkable. When he first assumed office briefly in 2000, serving for only seven days. No one could have predicted that this engineer-turned-politician from the ancient land of Nalanda would become Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. His return to power underscores not only his political resilience but also the immense expectations now resting on his leadership.
The onus is not only on Nitish; the people of Bihar have always shown their unbroken faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee. This faith has been very well reflected in past three Lok Sabha election results and by giving 89 seats in the 2025 polls, this trust has crossed all leaps and bounds. Bihar is now asking for a 180-degree turnaround as people here are no more interested in their image of being a backward state. The results clearly indicate that Bihar has voted on the promise of development and for the much known ‘double-engine ki sarkar.’
Priorities Identified
Since Nitish Kumar’s first full-fledged term in 2005, Bihar has achieved substantial improvements across various socio-economic indicators, including increased access to electricity, roads, water, education, and healthcare. These advancements have often outpaced national averages. Nevertheless, Bihar continues to face deep-rooted developmental challenges and remains Bharat’s poorest state. The new mandate, therefore, reflects both recognition of past progress and a demand for accelerated and inclusive development.
Author and senior journalist Santosh Singh highlighted several critical areas that the new NDA government must prioritise. Foremost among them is the implementation of the Mahila Rozgar Yojana. While it has been presented as a flagship initiative for women, clarity is required regarding its operational framework as to how the scheme will function on the ground, what mechanisms will be put in place for delivery, and within what timeframe will the benefits reach the intended recipients.
NDA has also promised the creation of one crore jobs. This target demands a comprehensive and realistic blueprint. Contributors are seeking clear answers about the plan, its timelines, and the sectors which will drive this employment surge.
“While Bihar has achieved notable progress in multiple sectors. Electricity, roads, water are largely in place. Even education and health have reached a basic level infrastructure, concerns now focus on the quality of education. There is an urgent need for: Institutions of excellence in management, engineering, medicine, and research; Expansion of higher education opportunities across the state as quality education remains pivotal for Bihar’s long-term socio-economic transformation,” said Santosh Singh.
Another important point Singh highlighted is the industrial development and food processing potential of the state. He said, “Bihar possesses immense potential in the food-processing sector, with abundant agricultural produce such as maize, banana, makhana, potato, mango, and litchi. Yet, despite years of discussion, progress has been limited. Though the establishment of the Makhana Board is a positive step, but there are many more possibilities that can generate employment in food processing sector.”
Singh emphasised development must extend beyond basic infrastructure to unlock the state’s untapped industrial capacity. While saying that the potential for IT-led growth in Bihar remains largely unexplored, Singh raised an important question: “Why shouldn’t Bihar develop a Noida-like township or transform the Trans-Ganga region into an educational and industrial hub akin to Gurgaon.”
Aditi Narayani Paswan, Assistant Professor at Delhi University and political commentator highlighted how with 66.9 per cent women voter turnout, Bihar witnessed Mahila Shakti reshaping political destiny.
However, according to Aditi, women’s health is a critical area in Bihar, which requires urgent attention. Despite the progress made through various women-centric schemes, she emphasised that women’s health remains inadequately addressed. “Policies must prioritise preventive and accessible healthcare for women,” added Aditi.
She also advocated for “conscious industrialisation,” noting that Bihar’s development model must account for its unique social and cultural fabric.
Talking to Organiser, author of ‘Broken Promises: Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar’ and political analyst, Mrityunjay Sharma said, “What Nitish Kumar has achieved over the last two decades has drawn admiration not only from his electorate but also from leaders and citizens across the country. Yet, impactful governance inevitably raises the bar of public expectations. The growing clamour around jobs, migration, bureaucratic corruption, and intermittent law-and-order lapses now demands renewed attention. For a leader of his experience, credibility, and administrative depth and with full support from PM Modi in the Center, there is little doubt that he remains best positioned to confront these challenges head-on and deliver once again.”
Weight of a Sweeping Mandate
The resounding mandate has placed enormous responsibility on the shoulders of Nitish Kumar. The expectations from various segments are higher than ever.
Prem Kumar Mani, celebrated literary figure of Bihar, once recalled Nitish Kumar’s words from around 2010, during the peak of his popularity, “Mani ji, whatever happens, people may complain about me, but they will never abuse me (Mani ji, log mere bare me shikayat karenge lekin humko koi gaali nahi dega).”
This sentiment reflects the Chief Minister’s aspiration to govern with integrity and leave behind a legacy marked by dignity and trust.
To be always remembered as a true statesman, Nitish Kumar must lead this inning with great responsibility and commitment that the people of Bihar now demand and have overwhelmingly endorsed.
