Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the inauguration ceremony of the newly built guest house of Bihar Vidhan Sabha, in Patna on Wednesday. State Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and others also present.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Declaring that their strength lies in their unity and in working for the development of Bihar, State leaders of the National Democratic Alliance said on Monday (January 13, 2024) that they aim to sweep this year’s Assembly election by winning 225 out of 243 constituencies in the State.

The NDA held the first of a series of joint workers’ conferences in the run-up to the election at Bagaha and Bettiah in Bihar’s West Champaran district. There will be 10 such conferences in the first phase which will end on January 22, with a second phase of conferences set to start from January 27.

The State presidents of all the NDA’s constituent parties were present at the Bagaha conference. This is the first time the NDA’s leaders in the State have come together for a public meeting since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) snapped ties with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in January 2024 to rejoin the NDA and form the State government along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The joint display of strength at the workers conference has calmed speculation that Mr. Kumar may switch sides yet again. The State party chiefs present included the BJP’s Dilip Jaiswal, JDU’s Umesh Kushwaha, Raju Tiwari of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Anil Singh of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s Madan Chaudhary. Union Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey was also present.

‘Unity is key’

Mr. Jaiswal, the State’s Revenue and Land Reforms Minister, emphasised that the NDA’s unity is the foundation of its success and a key to electoral victory.

“The NDA government has taken historic steps for Bihar’s progress. Be it farmers, youth, women, or traders, every sector has benefited from our initiatives. You, the workers, are the backbone of our party, and it is through your hard work that we have fulfilled the aspirations of the people,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

He was optimistic about the ruling alliance’s prospects for the upcoming election, saying that the people of Bihar no longer want the misrule of the RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, but instead favour the development agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the CM, Mr. Kumar.

“The energy and enthusiasm displayed by our workers will ensure not only a victory, but also a resounding mandate, with over 225 seats in the upcoming election,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

Inclusive development agenda

Criticising the Opposition, he said, “The INDIA bloc is a coalition driven by self-interest and the hunger for power. Unlike them, the NDA’s sole objective is inclusive development for all.” Bihar’s development will gain momentum under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the BJP leader said.

Describing the NDA as a symbol of progress and prosperity, Mr. Kushwaha urged the workers to reach every household, and spread awareness of the development work done by Mr. Kumar.

“The crowd of workers gathered in this ground is giving a clear message of NDA’s victory in 225 seats in 2025,” Mr. Kushwaha said.