Congress Decline Since 1952 and BJP’s Rising Vote Share in Bihar: A Look at the State’s Political Shifts
Patna (The Uttam Hindu): The results of the Bihar Assembly Elections have made it clear that voters have rejected the possibility of a hung assembly. Contrary to predictions of strong anti-incumbency against the 20-year-old Nitish Kumar–led government, the people have voted decisively on who should lead the state.
The 2025 Bihar elections appear to be one of the strongest mandates for the NDA government headed by CM Nitish Kumar. As per early trends, the Mahagathbandhan led by the RJD and Congress has suffered one of its most significant defeats.
A standout aspect of this election is the record performance of the BJP–JDU alliance, with both parties maintaining a strike rate of over 80–90 percent according to trend figures. This rise in support did not happen suddenly; it is the result of years of sustained political groundwork.
Looking back historically, the Congress, which won 239 seats in 1952, has now collapsed to single-digit seats.
In 1952, the party secured 41.38% vote share, but this has fallen below 10% over the decades, with Congress managing only 9% votes in the 2020 polls.
The decline began in the 1980s, with the rise of the BJP. It worsened during the Lalu Yadav era, when the Congress’ vote share dropped sharply. In the 1990 elections, the Congress slipped to second place with 24.78% votes, while Janata Dal under Lalu Yadav surged ahead with 25.61% votes.
The emergence of Nitish Kumar and the rise of JDU caused further setbacks.
By 2000, the Congress vote share fell to 11% with 23 seats, and in 2005, during Nitish Kumar’s first term as Chief Minister, Congress dropped to 5% votes and only 10 seats.
The 2010 election was even worse Congress won just 4 seats with 8% vote share.
Once a dominant force in the Hindi belt, the Congress weakened with the rise of regional parties like RJD and JDU. Today, the party stands at a crossroads with revival looking increasingly difficult.
On the other hand, the BJP started its Bihar journey in 1980 with an 8% vote share and 21 seats. Over the years, the party has steadily strengthened its position, making Bihar one of its strongholds.
Between 1980 and 2010, the BJP’s vote share rose consistently. After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, the party saw a sharp increase of 8% in its vote share, and this upward trend has continued.
The 2025 Bihar elections recorded 67.13% voter turnout, the highest ever. Women voters outnumbered men by 9%. Years of women-centric policies by Nitish Kumar and PM Modi contributed significantly to this shift.
This election marks a pivotal moment for Bihar the highest turnout since Independence and a strong mandate for the government despite two decades in power.
A similar voting pattern was last seen in 1977, when the JP movement under Karpoori Thakur swept the elections with 42.68% votes, while Congress was reduced to 57 seats.