'Tiger Zinda Hai': Nitish Kumar's Historic Comeback
On 13th November, a day before the official declaration of Bihar Assembly Election Results, a striking poster appeared outside the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna. Bestowed upon Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by former Bihar Minister Ranjit Sinha, it declared him a 'Tiger who still has the power (Tiger Zinda hai)'. The poster, a clear nod to the 2017 Salman Khan blockbuster, portrayed Kumar as the ultimate protector of all communities, including the most marginalized sections of society. This powerful imagery perfectly captured the sentiment of party workers who are now poised to see Nitish Kumar take oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for an unprecedented tenth time.
NDA's Resounding Victory and JD(U)'s Remarkable Resurgence
The 2025 Bihar assembly polls were marked by intense criticism from the opposition Mahagathbandhan, which repeatedly questioned the delay in the NDA declaring a certain Chief Ministerial face. RJD leader and opposition's CM face, Tejashwi Yadav, consistently cited statements from Union Minister Amit Shah to claim that Nitish Kumar would not become the CM if the NDA returned to power.
However, the election results on Friday told a completely different story. According to the Election Commission of India, the Janata Dal (United) was leading on 76 seats, a massive leap from the mere 43 seats it won in the 2020 elections. This performance is particularly striking given the party's recent electoral decline. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a whole is headed for a powerful comeback in the state.
This resurgence is even more significant when considering the 2020 outcome, where Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) was widely reported to have damaged JD(U)'s prospects by splitting votes. The LJP finished second in nine constituencies, securing a 5.66% vote share. The 2025 numbers clearly demonstrate that Nitish Kumar, a leader who has had his proverbial 'nine lives', has once again successfully dodged anti-incumbency, a feat he has managed since first becoming Chief Minister in 2005.
The Unshakeable Brand of Nitish Kumar
What is the secret behind this incredible political longevity? An analysis of the ground reality in Bihar before the elections revealed that while issues like migration, job scarcity, and poor civic amenities exist, they were not the primary drivers of voter sentiment. As long-time observers of Bihar politics would confirm, the election was ultimately a matter of caste, community, and one transcendent factor: the brand of Nitish Kumar.
Nitish Kumar's political journey has been a rollercoaster. He first became Chief Minister in 2000, but his government collapsed within just 8 days. His next, and truly consequential, stint began in 2005. Since then, he has been the central figure in Bihar's politics, with a brief resignation in 2014 after a poor Lok Sabha election performance for the JD(U), only to be sworn in again later. His most recent oath-taking was in January 2024.
Political analysts point to a carefully cultivated and loyal voter base as the bedrock of his strength. This base comprises the Kurmi-Koeri communities (7%), Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs at 26%), Mahadalits, and women. These groups have largely remained loyal to Kumar through various political shifts, drawn by his clean image and development-oriented governance.
Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari summarized Kumar's influence perfectly: "Be it the BJP in 2005 and 2019 or the RJD in 2015, whichever party Nitish Kumar has allied with has won elections in the past. He is undoubtedly the kingmaker of Bihar."
In the 2025 elections, where the BJP and JD(U) contested 101 seats each, Nitish Kumar's party has emerged as the largest player within the alliance. As political strategist Prashant Kishor noted, the BJP cannot win Bihar on its own, needing allies to cross the 120-seat majority mark. The results indicate that the proverbial 'paltu ram' (one who switches sides) is now firmly set to become the chief minister for a record tenth time, silencing all doubts about his health and political relevance.
