Bihar Assembly Election

In the 2019 assembly elections, the YSR Congress Party emerged as the single largest party, securing a massive majority.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the YSR Congress Party emerged as the single largest party, securing a massive majority.

No single party majority; coalition government formed.

No single party majority; coalition government formed.

Outcome: Coalition government formed; political instability continued.

Outcome: INC formed government; Kedar Pandey / Abdul Ghafoor became CM at different times.

This election was held after the Emergency (1975–77) imposed by Indira Gandhi.
Anti-Congress sentiment was strong nationally.
Karpoori Thakur of Janata Party became CM, emphasizing social justice, backward caste representation, and populist policies.
It marked the first non-Congress government in Bihar.

Nationally, Indira Gandhi returned as Prime Minister, and INC-I regained popularity.
Chandrashekhar Singh became CM of Bihar.
Janata Party’s previous momentum was reduced; Congress stabilized its position in Bihar.

Bindeshwari Dubey became CM.
Focus was on industrial development and social welfare.
Congress retained dominance, but socialist opposition parties were gaining strength in certain districts.

Lalu Prasad Yadav’s leadership rose in Janata Dal; focus on backward caste empowerment and social justice.
Janata Dal formed government; Lalu became CM in 1990, starting a period known as the “Lalu Raj”, emphasizing social justice, rural empowerment, and caste-based politics.

Lalu Prasad Yadav continued as CM, consolidating support among Yadavs and backward castes.
INC weakened further; BJP emerged as the primary opposition in northern Bihar.
Focus remained on social justice and rural empowerment, but issues like governance and corruption started surfacing.

No single party achieved a majority (163 seats needed), resulting in political instability.
RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, tried to form the government but coalition-building was complicated.
Later in November 2000, Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar, reducing the effective assembly size and seat calculations.
This period marked a decline in traditional Congress influence and the rise of coalition politics in Bihar.

Outcome: Nitish Kumar (JD(U)) formed government with BJP; ended RJD dominance.

Outcome: JD(U)-BJP retained power; Nitish Kumar continued as CM.

Outcome: RJD-JD(U)-INC alliance won majority; Nitish Kumar returned as CM despite JD(U) not being largest party.

Outcome: JD(U)-BJP alliance retained power; Nitish Kumar continued as CM.
Observation: RJD largest party but could not form government due to alliance mismatch.