Patna: Fighting back anti-incumbency sentiment of 15 years, putting up with a spirited challenge from an ally-turned-foe, tackling an opposition that milked the Covid-19 debacle and subsequent economic slowdown, the National Democratic Alliance on Wednesday midnight somehow crawled back to power with a slim majority to see Nitish Kumar return as the Bihar Chief Minister for a fourth consecutive term.

The ruling alliance won 125 seats in the 243-member state assembly against 110 of the opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) to pave the way for an encore as Kumar at the helm. But it is all not hunky dory for the Janata Dal (United) as the CM’s party fared worse than the BJP this year, with the number of JD(U) lawmakers coming down to 43 from 71 in 2015.

Back then, Kumar was a partner of the grand alliance, led by Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, including the Congress.

Notwithstanding its defeat, the RJD, led by the gritty Tejashwi Yadav, once again emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats. Lalu’s younger son single-handedly gave the NDA a run for its money, leaving the BJP behind for the second spot with 74 seats after 16 arduous hours of counting of votes.

However, the slump in numbers does not change the NDA’s plans to have Nitish Kumar back as the Chief Minister as he was strongly endorsed for the top post even by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief JP Nadda.

If Kumar has to blame anyone for his party’s dismal performance, it has to be Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party. Though the party managed only one MLA in the 243-member strong Assembly, the LJP spoiled JD(U)’s party in at least 30 seats.

If Kumar has to blame anyone for his party’s dismal performance, it has to be Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party. Though the party managed only one MLA in the 243-member strong Assembly, the LJP spoiled JD(U)’s party in at least 30 seats.

JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi told news agency PTI that a “sinister” campaign was conspired against Nitish.

“Apne bhi shamil the aur begane bhi (Our own also harmed us along with the outsiders),” he said without taking names.

Thr RJD won 75 seats to the Assembly, while the Left parties – CPI, CPM and CPIML – won a total of 16 seats as part of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’. Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen too secured 5 seats in the Bihar Vidhan Sabha.