Patna, Nov. 15 -- A wave of decisive mandates, many with margins exceeding 50,000 votes, has strengthened the NDA, especially the BJP and the JD(U), while leaving the RJD to defend shrinking territory and explain significant defeats of top leaders.

In constituency after constituency, NDA leaders and high-profile debutants pulled ahead early and widened their leads. The BJP's most formidable showing came from Samrat Choudhary, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and a key OBC face of the party. His sweeping victory in Tarapur, by 45,843 votes, reaffirmed his expanding clout within the NDA. With 1,22,480 votes, Choudhary's performance cements his position as one of the most influential leaders shaping the party's trajectory in Bihar.

His collea...