New reckoning: On Nitish Kumar’s tenth term in Bihar

With his swearing-in as Chief Minister of the NDA-led government in Bihar, Nitish Kumar has begun his tenth term cumulatively at the helm of the State. This remarkable political longevity reflects not just his personal acumen but also the JD(U)’s electoral performance, which saw the party double its previous tally to 85 seats. His success owes much to the social coalition he has painstakingly built over the years. The JD(U)’s support base among the EBCs and Dalits, augmented by substantial backing from women across these sections, has provided accretion to the support bases of the BJP and other NDA allies. This multi-caste, multi-class coalition gave the alliance a decisive social edge over the Opposition Mahagatbandhan, helping it stave off anti-incumbency. That voters have prioritised welfare deliveries over Mr. Kumar’s serial realignments speaks to the efficacy of targeted benefits in insulating incumbents. Yet, electoral success cannot obscure the hard reality that confronts the septuagenarian leader. Bihar remains at the absolute bottom on virtually every socioeconomic indicator. It continues to be the largest source of out-migration, a consequence of inadequate employment opportunities. Its economy remains trapped in a vicious cycle: agriculture hampered by fragmented landholdings and concentrated ownership, and a services sector largely confined to government employment. The near absence of organised industry and the State’s inability to attract investments represent a governance failure that transcends political partisanship. Years of administration have prioritised road and bridge construction, while education and health have languished.

The Opposition’s inability to capitalise on these deficiencies is telling. The RJD’s limited social coalition, the Congress’s organisational weaknesses, and the Left’s confinement to pockets of support have failed to convert economic distress into political momentum. Welfare doles have evidently shielded the government as well. However, the Opposition’s inadequacy does not invalidate the critique of the government’s economic record. A State cannot thrive on transfer payments and handouts. With the JD(U) occupying a pivotal position at the Centre, there is little excuse for the new administration to continue on this trajectory. The government must pivot toward securing sustainable livelihoods. Catalysing sectors such as food processing, leveraging Bihar’s agricultural fertility, and creating an enabling environment for investment are essential. More ambitious measures, including land reforms that transfer holdings from absentee landowners to sharecroppers, may be politically difficult, but remain necessary. Mr. Kumar’s tenth term must be measured not by electoral arithmetic but by whether it marks an inflection point in Bihar’s development trajectory.