The “vote for change” call that was heard quite loudly in election campaigning in Bihar amid difficult-to-implement electoral promises by both the political alliances, the NDA and Mahagathbandhan (MGB), did not sway the voters in the poorest Indian heartland state as much as the overwhelming faith they placed in continuity by endorsing the leadership of nine-term chief minister Nitish Kumar.

In politics, 20 years is a long time to remain an incumbent and still sway voters despite incumbency fatigue. That Kumar did it yet again, like he did in 2010, is an outstanding feat for a leader whose long rule in Bihar has not particularly seen the state flourish and where unemployment is a huge problem.

Though the BJP has emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, there were serious doubts

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