Bihar Assembly Election Results 2025: The Silent Force Behind Nitish Kumar’s Fate

The counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 has begun, and soon it will be clear who holds the key to power in the state. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Nitish Kumar return as Chief Minister, or will he lose his grip on power? Experts say there is a silent force at play—one that could ultimately decide the political equation in Bihar.

Record Voter Turnout

According to BBC reports, since independence, voter turnout in Bihar Assembly elections crossed 60% only four times between 1951–52 and 2020. The Election Commission reports that in 2025, turnout in both phases reached approximately 66.91%, a significant jump from 57.29% in 2020. The driving factor behind this surge? Women voters.

Women Lead the Charge

Women outnumbered men at the polling booths by at least 4.34 lakh votes. While male voter turnout was 62.8%, women voted at a remarkable 71.6%—nearly 10% higher. This makes women the silent force of Bihar’s elections, often transcending caste and religious lines to shape the state’s political landscape. For some parties, they act as “silent killers”; for others, they are kingmakers.

Women’s Influence on Nitish Kumar’s Popularity

The prohibition policy in Bihar has enhanced Nitish Kumar’s popularity among women. If the results favor the NDA, it could secure Kumar’s return as Chief Minister. Experts note that women’s high turnout, especially in the first phase across 243 constituencies, seems to lean in his favor. Over the past 20–25 years, initiatives like the bicycle scheme and various women-centric welfare programs have cultivated a strong and lasting support base.

A More Aware and Assertive Electorate

Political analysts caution against assuming that high turnout automatically guarantees any party’s victory. Women are voting not just to decide who wins, but because they are increasingly asserting their voice. Unlike men, for whom caste often dominates voting behavior, women voters tend to prioritize practical benefits—family welfare, health, education, and small entrepreneurial support.

If Nitish Kumar secures a decisive mandate due to women voters, it could mark the emergence of a new, powerful voting bloc in India, demonstrating that women’s electoral choices can shape state politics in profound ways.