Phoenix soars in Patna

What was seen as a litmus test of his political relevance instead reaffirmed him as Bihar’s Phoenix — a leader repeatedly rising from near defeat, tested on endurance and trust. For Nitish Kumar, who has governed the State for nearly two decades, this election became a measure of both endurance and trust. A buoyed Nitish Kumar, thanked the people of the State for giving a landslide victory. “People of the State have expressed their confidence in our Government by giving us a landslide mandate in the polls. For this, I bow to all the esteemed voters of the State, and express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks,” Nitish posted on social media. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continuous support to the NDA Government in the State and congratulated other NDA alliance partners Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha. Once celebrated as Sushashan Babu for steering Bihar out of what was often called the era of jungle raj, Kumar has in recent years faced voter fatigue and criticism over his unpredictable political alliances. Yet, the latest verdict reveals a complex electoral faith that prizes governance and delivery over coalition arithmetic. Women’s empowerment, roads, electricity, education, and safety triumphed over rhetoric. The NDA’s women-centric policies emerged as the decisive factor, mirroring the success of similar models in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, offering start-up grants and mentorship for aspiring women entrepreneurs, created a direct emotional and economic link with a key demographic. Just as the Ladli Behna initiative in Madhya Pradesh and Majhi Ladki Bahin programme in Maharashtra cemented a loyal female vote, Bihar’s version created a quiet but powerful groundswell. Even recipients awaiting their first instalment voiced confidence that “as long as Nitish is there, the money will come.” A record-high turnout among women — outnumbering men by almost 10 percentage points — appears to have decisively favoured the BJP-led coalition. Beyond women-focused outreach, the Nitish Government targeted grassroots benefits: free electricity for the first 125 units, tablets and smartphones for Vikas Mitras and Shiksha Sevaks, and enhanced pensions for the elderly and disabled. Construction workers received new clothing allowances, while ASHA, Anganwadi, and Jeevika workers saw their honorariums rise. Together with the promise of one crore jobs over five years, these measures crafted an image of inclusive governance and welfare continuity-helping replicate the success of women-driven victories seen in other BJP bastions. Kumar’s own revival mid-campaign also played a critical role: his high-energy rallies and emphatic speeches countered speculation over his health and suitability for another term. His declaration that he had “never sought personal gain in life,” captured in a widely shared video, seemed to strike a chord across Bihar’s caste divides. Nitish Kumar’s staying power lies in a rare political equation. Through careful social engineering —bringing together Extremely Backward Classes, Mahadalits, and non-Yadav OBCs — he has maintained a durable coalition of trust.