The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has delivered a crushing defeat to the Congress in Bihar, one of India’s most politically influential states. The outcome has left the Congress—historically a dominant national force—with just six seats in the 243-member assembly, marking its poorest showing in the state.
Bihar, home to nearly 130 million people and a key political bellwether in the Hindi-speaking belt, plays a decisive role in shaping national politics. With the state sending the fourth-highest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha, any electoral shift here signals broader trends in India’s political landscape.
After voting on November 6 and 11, the Election Commission’s results showed the NDA winning a massive 202 seats, with the BJP alone claiming 89. The Congress, meanwhile, faced a near-total rout.
Congress Raises Concerns Over Voter Roll Revision
Before the elections, the Election Commission removed nearly 10 per cent of Bihar’s 74 million voters during a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Commission noted several reasons: large-scale migration, first-time voters turning 18, and unreported deaths.
The Congress, however, alleged that the revision disenfranchised poor and minority voters. After the results, Rahul Gandhi labelled the election “unfair,” saying the party could not win a contest that was flawed at the outset. Former Congress member and senior advocate Kapil Sibal echoed similar concerns, accusing the BJP of undermining the independence of key democratic institutions.
A Deeper Problem Than Electoral Rolls
While the Congress blamed procedural issues, the outcome suggests the party’s messaging did not resonate with Bihar’s electorate. Political observers argue that structural weaknesses—including leadership challenges, organisational drift, and weak on-ground connectivity—have led to the party’s decline.
A senior Congress official admitted that the results must act as a “wake-up call,” adding that the party will conduct an internal inquiry to identify what went wrong. He said the leadership must introspect seriously to regain voter trust and craft a more credible strategy.
A Major Boost for Modi and the BJP
The Bihar election served as an essential test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity. The BJP’s sweeping win has strengthened the NDA’s momentum ahead of major state elections in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and national elections in 2029.
Although the BJP does not currently hold a full majority in Parliament and relies on allies, it remains firmly dominant at the state level—governing most of India’s 28 states and eight Union Territories. By contrast, the Congress is in power in just three states.
Is a Comeback Possible?
Analysts believe the Congress cannot revive itself without rethinking both its strategy and alliances. Veteran political analyst Radhika Ramaseshan argues that the party must build robust partnerships with regional outfits if it hopes to counter the BJP’s expanding footprint.
Rasheed Kidwai, political commentator and visiting fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, says the party’s collapse in Bihar symbolises its national struggles—from weakened ideology to fading grassroots presence. According to him, Congress must rebuild alliances on a foundation of trust and cohesion, and must approach its regional partners with humility if it wants to stay relevant.
The Road Ahead
The Congress faces two stark choices: continue its current trajectory, or undergo a serious internal transformation. The Bihar loss highlights the urgency. Strengthening organisation, sharpening leadership, reconnecting with voters, and forging meaningful regional alliances are no longer optional—they are essential for survival.
Whether the Congress can bounce back will depend not only on electoral strategies, but on its willingness to confront internal weaknesses and evolve in an increasingly competitive political environment.
