NDA and INDIA Remain Silent on Bihar CM Candidate Creating Voter Speculation
Voters left guessing as alliances dodge CM face clarity.
As Bihar gears up for the first phase of polling for 121 assembly constituencies on November 6, 2025, both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc have kept voters in the dark about their chief ministerial candidates, fueling speculation and political intrigue. The absence of a clear CM face from either coalition has left observers questioning the strategies and internal dynamics of the alliances.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the leading opposition party within the INDIA bloc, has been vocal about projecting Tejashwi Yadav as its preferred candidate for chief minister. The RJD touts Tejashwi as a youthful leader who can usher in a new era of vikas (development) for Bihar, directly challenging the NDA’s narrative that the RJD’s past governance led to jungle raj—a term used to describe alleged economic mismanagement and lawlessness. However, the RJD’s push for Tejashwi lacks unanimous support within the INDIA bloc. The Congress, a key ally, has been notably reserved, refraining from explicitly endorsing Tejashwi. This hesitation has sparked murmurs of discontent within the RJD, raising questions about the coalition’s unity as the polls approach.
On the NDA side, the alliance has positioned the elections as being fought under the leadership of incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)]. Yet, ambiguity surrounds whether Nitish will continue in the role post-election. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a dominant NDA partner, has sent mixed signals, adding to the uncertainty. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the NDA’s legislative party would decide the CM post after the elections, a comment that political analysts interpret as a hint of potential change in leadership. The JD(U) has yet to publicly respond to Shah’s remarks, deepening the suspense.
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Sensing the potential for Shah’s statement to create friction within the NDA, he met with Nitish Kumar on Friday and praised his role in pulling Bihar out of the RJD’s alleged jungle raj. This move is widely seen as an attempt to smooth over tensions and project unity ahead of the polls. However, the lack of a definitive commitment to Nitish’s continuation has kept speculation alive about whether the BJP might push for its own candidate or a new face post-election.
Political analysts argue that this strategic ambiguity in both camps is a calculated move to maintain alliance cohesion until the results are declared. “The uncertainty over the CM face in both the NDA and the INDIA bloc is creating confusion among voters and highlights a trust deficit within alliance politics,” said RK Verma, a Patna-based political analyst. He added that both coalitions appear to be playing their cards close to their chests, likely to avoid internal rifts that could jeopardize their electoral prospects.
Pawan Kumar, another political observer, noted a striking similarity in the strategies of the Congress and the BJP. “Both national parties lack charismatic state-level leadership in Bihar and are relying on their regional allies—RJD for Congress and JD(U) for BJP—to drive the campaign,” he said. This dynamic underscores the influence of regional players in shaping the state’s political narrative.
The lack of clarity on the CM face has also sparked discussions among voters, many of whom feel caught in a fog of political maneuvering. “Voters want to know who will lead the state, but both alliances are keeping it vague,” said Shalini Kumari, a schoolteacher in Patna. “It makes it harder to trust their promises.” As the campaign intensifies, the absence of a clear leadership narrative could sway undecided voters or deepen skepticism about the alliances’ ability to deliver stable governance.
With the first phase of polling just weeks away, both the NDA and the INDIA bloc are walking a tightrope, balancing alliance dynamics with public expectations. Whether this ambiguity will prove to be a strategic masterstroke or a misstep will only become clear when the votes are counted.
Also Read: Disunity in INDIA Bloc Could Hand Bihar 2025 to NDA on a Platter
