India, Nov. 15 -- The 2025 assembly election in Bihar was not a typical electoral battle for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ; the state was a battle ground in more ways than one. The party had to walk the tightrope between balancing its own interests -- its graph has been on an ascendant in the state -- and that of the coalition it is part of, headed by long-time partner the Janata Dal (United). It also had to deal with anti-incumbency , and a seemingly energised opposition.

It has reason to be pleased with the results.

The NDA won 202 seats, with the BJP itself winning 89, making it the single largest party in a state where it has never had a chief minister.

Party leaders attribute the NDA's landslide win to smart alliance politics,...