For nearly two decades, Bihar’s political landscape has been marked by turbulence, much of it seemingly aimed at writing Nitish Kumar off. Yet, time and again, he has displayed a remarkable ability to return to power—almost always on his own terms. When he took oath as chief minister for the tenth time in 2025, however, it was not the result of another tactical realignment or political maneuver.
What truly stunned observers this time was a rare display of electoral dominance. Leading the Janata Dal (United) and its NDA allies, Nitish Kumar powered the coalition to an emphatic 202 seats in the 243-member Assembly, delivering a mandate so decisive it bordered on the imperial.
