The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has achieved a significant victory in the Bihar assembly elections, securing 202 out of 243 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) or LJP(RV), which contested 28 seats as part of the NDA, won 19 constituencies, marking a notable comeback for the party that had no representation in the previous assembly.

Chirag Paswan, leader of LJP(RV) and Union minister, expressed his party's eagerness to join the new government and stated his belief that Nitish Kumar would continue as chief minister. "The MLAs will elect their leader as the CM. As far as I believe, CM Nitish Kumar will once again become the chief minister," Paswan said during a press conference at his party office.

The NDA's victory was bolstered by the BJP's performance, which emerged as the single largest party in Bihar, winning 89 seats, its highest tally ever. The JD(U) followed closely with 85 seats, while the LJP(RV) contributed 19 seats, HAM secured 5, and RLM won 4. This election marks a significant shift in Bihar's political landscape, as the BJP has strengthened its position, moving from a junior partner to a more equal player within the NDA.

Paswan also addressed the opposition's claims of discord between him and Nitish Kumar, stating, "The opposition created a false narrative that I was not on good terms with Nitish Kumar." He emphasized that his party had already met with Kumar to congratulate him and discuss future cooperation.

The election results revealed that both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan won five seats each by margins of less than 1,000 votes, highlighting the competitive nature of the elections. The Mahagathbandhan, which secured only 35 seats, has alleged electoral malpractice and promised to provide evidence of vote rigging in the coming weeks.

In a reflection on past elections, Paswan noted that his decision to contest outside the NDA in 2020 had inadvertently benefited the RJD, allowing it to become the largest party at that time. He expressed gratitude to the NDA leadership for the allocation of seats, stating, "Of the 19 seats we won, the NDA did not have sitting MLAs on 16."

As the NDA prepares to form the government, questions remain about the chief ministerial face, especially given Nitish Kumar's history of shifting alliances. Amit Shah, when asked about the chief minister, stated, "NDA partners will decide who will be the next Bihar CM."

The results of this election not only reshape Bihar's political dynamics but also signal a potential shift in power from the traditional Lalu-Nitish axis to a more BJP-centric framework, marking a significant transformation in the state's political landscape.