Mandate 2025: How Mahila Shakti powered NDA to historic mandate in Bihar

In both Maharashtra and Bihar, women-focused schemes translated into significant electoral gains

The 2025 Bihar election result on Friday saw the Nitish Kumar-led NDA roar “Phir ek baar, 200 paar”.

Women have played a decisive role in the NDA’s electoral sweep. In a post on X, JD(U) said on Friday, “The trust of Bihar's women has triumphed.. The NDA has triumphed, Bihar has triumphed..(Jeeta hai Bihar ki mahilao ka vishwaas... jeeta hai NDA, jeeta hai Bihar).”

How did women help NDA’s performance?

The Nitish regime has been known for its women-centric policies and schemes. However, the JD(U) in the run up to the Assembly elections went a notch higher.

The Bihar government's decision to transfer Rs 10,000 cash into women's accounts under Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana ahead of polls, is seen as a masterstroke by the NDA. This move, along with schemes such as 50% reservation for women in panchayats (2006) and 35% quota in state government jobs (2013), further bolstered NDA’s chances in the Bihar election.

High turnout

In the first phase of voting on November 6, 69.04% of women voted compared to 61.56 per cent of men. In the second and final phase on November 11, women's voter turnout increased further to 74.03 %, while the men's voter turnout was only 64.1%.

The increase in the turnout of women voters from 59.69% in 2020 to 71.6% in 2025 is seen as a major factor behind the unprecedented increase in the NDA tally. In 2015, the women’s turnout was about 60.48%.

Historically, Nitish Kumar's party won wherever the share of women voters were more than that of men.

Also, the BJP’s outreach resonated deeply with female voters who perceived the NDA as a champion of their aspirations and safety. There was a constant reminder of the "jungle raj" during the RJD rule by NDA campaigners led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The EC’s deployment of over 1.8 lakh Jeevika Didis, women volunteers guiding other women voters regarding booth locations and voting processes, reportedly improved electoral participation among women.