Bihar Assembly Election Result

2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 2020 Bihar Assembly elections turned out to be one of the most closely contested electoral battles in the state’s recent political history. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) managed to secure a narrow majority and returned to power. The alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) – JDU, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), collectively won 125 seats, just over the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member assembly. On the opposition side, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) – led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and supported by the Indian National Congress (INC) along with Left parties like CPI, CPI(ML), and CPM – put up a strong fight, securing 110 seats. The RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, reflecting strong voter support, especially among youth and rural voters across the state. The Grand Democratic Secular Front (GDSF) also made its presence felt, particularly in the Seemanchal region. AIMIM made a notable debut by winning 5 seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) secured 1 seat, bringing the total tally of GDSF to 6 seats. Additionally, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and an Independent candidate won 1 seat each. This election not only highlighted a tight race between alliances but also marked a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape. Smaller and regional parties played a decisive role, indicating that Bihar’s politics is no longer a bipolar contest. Though the NDA returned to power, the BJP emerged stronger within the coalition, changing the internal power dynamics. Ultimately, Nitish Kumar was sworn in again as the Chief Minister, leading a more alliance-dependent government than ever before.

2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 2015 Bihar Assembly Elections marked a turning point in the state’s political landscape, resulting in a decisive victory for the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan). The coalition, consisting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (United) – JD(U), and the Indian National Congress (INC), secured a commanding majority in the 243-seat Bihar Legislative Assembly.

The RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, emerged as the single largest party, winning 80 seats. JD(U), under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, closely followed with 71 seats, while the Congress performed better than in previous years by securing 27 seats. Together, the Grand Alliance claimed 178 seats, well above the majority mark of 122, giving them a comfortable mandate to form the government.

On the other side, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had contested as part of the NDA, secured 53 seats and emerged as the single largest party in the opposition. Its allies performed poorly –Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) managed to win only 2 seats each, while Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) bagged just 1 seat.

Other political players had minimal impact. Independent candidates won 4 seats, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation {CPI(ML)(L)} secured 3 seats. The 2015 elections were significant for several reasons. Firstly, it showcased the effectiveness of strong coalition politics in countering a formidable opposition like the BJP. Secondly, it brought together former political rivals (RJD and JD(U)) in a rare show of unity against the NDA. Lastly, it paved the way for Nitish Kumar to once again assume the office of Chief Minister, this time with the backing of RJD and INC. This election demonstrated how strategic alliances, caste dynamics, and grassroots campaigning can strongly influence voter behavior in Bihar’s complex political theatre.

2010 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 2010 Bihar Assembly Elections marked a historic victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), especially for the Janata Dal (United) – JD(U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the NDA secured a sweeping mandate from the people of Bihar, signaling a shift towards development-oriented governance.

The JD(U) emerged as the single largest party, winning a massive 115 seats. Its alliance partner, the BJP, also registered a strong performance with 91 seats, bringing the NDA’s total tally to 206 seats — a landslide majority in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly. This resounding victory enabled Nitish Kumar to return as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, with enhanced public credibility and political strength.

The opposition parties suffered major setbacks in this election:

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), once Bihar’s dominant political force, was reduced to just 22 seats, marking a steep decline from its previous position.

Indian National Congress (INC), contesting alone, managed to win only 4 seats.

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) could win just 3 seats, weakening its influence in state politics.

2005 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The year 2005 was a dramatic and defining moment in Bihar’s political journey. Never before had the state witnessed two assembly elections within the same year – a clear reflection of deep political uncertainty, shifting alliances, and a restless electorate demanding change. What began as a fractured mandate in February transformed into a historic verdict in October, reshaping the future of governance in Bihar.

February 2005: A Mandate Without Direction

In February 2005, Bihar voted – but the result was political paralysis. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), once a dominant force, emerged as the largest party with 75 seats, but fell far short of the majority mark. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), holding the balance of power with 29 seats, refused to support either RJD or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which together with JD(U) and BJP had secured 92 seats.

The result? A hung assembly, chaos in the corridors of power, and ultimately, President’s Rule. The people’s voice was heard, but it lacked clarity – and Bihar remained in limbo.

October 2005: A Decisive Mandate for Change

When Bihar returned to the ballot box in October, it spoke with unmistakable clarity. The same electorate that had hesitated in February now delivered a decisive verdict for transformation. The NDA, led by Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party, secured a commanding 143-seat majority. JD(U) surged from 55 to 88 seats, and BJP strengthened its base with 55 seats – a political earthquake that toppled decades of dominance by RJD.

Most significantly, the people handed over the reins of Bihar to Nitish Kumar, who took oath as Chief Minister for the first time under the NDA banner, promising governance, development, and justice.

2000 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The Bihar Assembly Election of 2000 was a significant moment in the state’s political history, held just months before the creation of Jharkhand. With 324 assembly seats at stake in undivided Bihar, the election produced a fractured outcome. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, emerged as the largest party with 124 seats but could not reach the majority mark. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) followed with 67 seats, while the Samata Party, under the leadership of George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar, made its presence felt with 34 seats. The Indian National Congress continued its downward trend, winning only 23 seats. Regional parties and independents had a notable impact, with parties like the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), CPI(ML), and JD(U) holding sway in several areas. Despite the numbers, no party or alliance was able to form a stable government, leading to the assembly’s dissolution. Later that year, on November 15, 2000, the state was officially bifurcated, and Jharkhand was formed. This election marked the final contest in a united Bihar and underlined the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s political structure.

1995 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 1995 Bihar Assembly election was a defining moment in the state’s political history. The Janata Dal, under the leadership of Lalu Prasad Yadav, won a sweeping victory by securing 167 out of 324 seats, giving it a clear majority. This result firmly established Lalu as a dominant political figure in Bihar, backed strongly by the rural population and marginalized communities. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained ground with 41 seats, continuing its slow but steady rise in the state. Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress, once a dominant force, continued to lose relevance, managing only 29 seats. The Communist Party of India (CPI) held on to its base, winning 26 seats, while independents captured 12 seats, reflecting the growing influence of local leaders. Regional and ideological diversity was also evident in the results, with parties like the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its factions, the Samata Party, CPI(ML), CPM, BSP, and others making their presence felt across various regions. Many of these groups had strong support in the areas that would later become Jharkhand. The election underscored the fragmentation of Bihar’s political landscape and marked the consolidation of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s leadership during a period of major social and political transition.

1990 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 1990 Bihar Assembly Election marked a major political transition in the state, as it ended the long-standing dominance of the Indian National Congress and ushered in a new era of regional leadership. The election was held for 324 assembly seats in undivided Bihar, and it witnessed a massive shift in voter sentiment, especially among backward and marginalized communities.

The Janata Dal, under the broader umbrella of the National Front and backed by the rising influence of Mandal politics, emerged as the single largest party. The Janata Dal secured a comfortable majority, winning around 122–143 seats (records vary slightly by source), and formed the government with the support of other non-Congress parties and independents. This victory was largely attributed to the charisma and appeal of leaders like V.P. Singh at the national level and Lalu Prasad Yadav at the state level.

Lalu Prasad Yadav was chosen as the leader of the Janata Dal legislative party, and he went on to become the Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time. His leadership symbolized the political empowerment of the OBCs (Other Backward Classes) and marked a turning point in Bihar’s social justice movement.

The Indian National Congress, which had ruled Bihar for decades, suffered a major setback and secured significantly fewer seats, reflecting the growing public discontent with its policies and leadership. Other parties like the BJP, CPI, and independents also managed to win a share of the vote but played a limited role in the government formation.

1985 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The Bihar Assembly elections of 1985 marked a clear reaffirmation of the Indian National Congress’s dominance in the state. Riding on the national sympathy wave and the strong image of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress secured a sweeping victory, winning 196 out of 324 seats – a commanding majority that left the opposition far behind. The Lok Dal emerged as the second-largest party but with only 46 seats, showing that no other force posed a serious challenge to Congress at that time. A notable number of independent candidates also found success, capturing 29 seats, which reflected the strength of individual leadership in various constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party, still growing its presence in the Hindi heartland, won 16 seats, while the Janata Party, once a powerful anti – Congress front, managed to win just 13. Left parties like the CPI secured 12 seats, and regional groups such as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha made their mark in tribal areas, winning 9. The rest of the assembly was shared by a few smaller parties, each with minimal presence. Although Congress remained firmly in control after this election, the performance of regional and independent players hinted at the beginning of a shift in Bihar’s political fabric – a change that would become more visible in the coming years with the rise of backward caste politics and the weakening grip of the national parties.

1980 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 1980 Bihar Assembly Election brought the Indian National Congress (I) back to power with a strong majority, winning 169 out of 324 seats. This victory reflected a wider national trend, as Indira Gandhi’s faction of the Congress, now firmly reestablished after the Emergency period and the fall of the Janata experiment, regained voter trust in several states, including Bihar. The fragmented opposition failed to mount a unified challenge. The Janata Party (Secular) faction led by Charan Singh managed to win 42 seats, while the original Janata Party (JP group) was reduced to just 13. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contesting its first major election after being formed in 1980, secured 21 seats, signaling the beginning of its journey in Bihar politics. The Communist Party of India (CPI) held a steady ground with 23 seats, equal to the number won by independent candidates, showing the strength of local leadership in various pockets of the state. Other factions like Congress (Urs) with 14 seats and regional forces such as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with 11 seats had a limited but noticeable presence, particularly in tribal-dominated areas. The CPM, SUC, and a few smaller parties also managed to secure seats, further indicating a fragmented political landscape. While Congress(I) led decisively, the election revealed deepening political divisions, regional aspirations, and the weakening unity of the opposition, setting the stage for the turbulent political shifts that would define Bihar in the decades ahead.

1977 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The 1977 Bihar Assembly election marked a dramatic turning point in the state’s political landscape. In the wake of the Emergency, voters delivered a sweeping victory to the Janata Party, which won 214 out of 324 seats. This overwhelming mandate reflected widespread public anger against the Indian National Congress and a clear demand for political change. The Congress, once the dominant force in Bihar politics, was reduced to just 57 seats—a sharp decline that mirrored its national losses. Independent candidates made a strong showing with 24 seats, highlighting the importance of local leaders in many constituencies. The Communist Party of India secured 21 seats, maintaining its foothold in trade union and rural pockets, while the CPI(M) won 4. Smaller regional parties like the Jharkhand Party and All India Jharkhand Party won a few seats, representing tribal interests in southern Bihar. The Shoshit Samaj Dal also managed to win one seat, drawing support from marginalized communities. Overall, the result signaled a decisive break from one-party dominance and opened the door to a new phase in Bihar politics, where coalition-building, regional movements, and grassroots leadership would begin to shape the direction of governance in the years to come.

1972 Bihar Legislative Assembly Election Results-

The Bihar Assembly election of 1972 saw the Indian National Congress return to power with a clear majority. Out of 318 seats, Congress won 167, reaffirming its position as the leading political force in the state. This result reflected the continued support for Indira Gandhi’s leadership during a period of national confidence, following events like the 1971 war and her focus on poverty reduction. The Communist Party of India performed strongly as well, winning 35 seats and maintaining its influence in key rural and industrial regions. The Samyukta Socialist Party and other socialist groups secured 33 seats, continuing to represent left-leaning opposition voices. The Congress (Organisation), formed after the 1969 party split, won 30 seats, showing that a section of the electorate still backed its traditional leadership. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh claimed 25 seats, expanding its reach in Bihar. Independent candidates secured 17 seats, reflecting strong local figures with personal followings. Smaller parties like the All India Jharkhand Party and various tribal-focused groups also made an impact, particularly in the southern districts, where calls for a separate Jharkhand state were gaining ground. The election overall confirmed Congress’s hold, but also pointed to a more diverse and competitive political atmosphere developing across the state.

Other States Assembly Election-