Patna: Janata Dal (United) acting national president Sanjay Jha has asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised for a decisive win in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, declaring that “there is no alternative to Nitish Kumar in the state.”
Having accompanied Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to more than 70 election rallies across Bihar, Jha claimed that the mood on the ground signals overwhelming support for the chief minister. “The enthusiasm among people is unprecedented. Despite rain, Nitish Kumar travelled nearly 700 kilometres by road in just two days to meet people directly. The public’s trust in him is stronger than ever,” Jha said.
According to Jha, this election will be “the biggest” of CM Nitish Kumar’s political career, with the NDA likely to perform even better than it did in 2010. “Nitish Kumar’s credibility remains unmatched,” he added. “He doesn’t make empty promises — the public understands and respects that.”
‘Pre-incumbency, not anti-incumbency’
Asked whether two decades in power might fuel voter fatigue, Jha dismissed the idea of anti-incumbency. “Nitish Kumar’s biggest strength is his record of delivery. He has transformed Bihar’s identity — being called a Bihari is now a matter of pride. He has announced plans to generate one crore jobs and expand industrial opportunities,” Jha said.
He added that the government’s welfare schemes, especially those benefiting women and marginalised groups, have deepened public trust. “People’s expectations are high, but this is a pre-incumbency effect — they believe Nitish Kumar will continue to deliver.”
New faces, renewed strategy
On the JD(U)’s decision to drop several senior candidates, Jha said the move reflects the party’s evolving strategy. “We have fielded highly educated and young candidates in constituencies like Warisnagar, Islampur, and Cheria Bariarpur. The party constantly evaluates feedback and ensures a balance between youth and experience,” he explained.
Nitish Kumar’s imprint on NDA vision
Responding to questions about the NDA’s manifesto, Jha said it “fully embodies Nitish Kumar’s vision.” The focus, he said, is on development across all sections — Dalits, backward classes, women, and youth — alongside investments in technology and infrastructure.
‘A defining election for the next 25 years’
Jha predicted a stronger performance for the JD(U) compared to 2020, though he refrained from specifying numbers. “People trust JD(U)’s leadership and its policies. This election is not just about forming a government for the next five years — it will shape Bihar’s future for the next 25,” he said.
While opposition parties have questioned the NDA’s leadership and the absence of a new chief ministerial face, Jha brushed aside the speculation. “Nitish Kumar is already the Chief Minister — there’s no vacancy to fill,” he said.
