The gains of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which the Opposition had been highlighting in their election campaigns, were quickly lost in 2025. It was a difficult year for India’s Opposition, as across states, it failed to convert public opinion into votes. The issues it raised were buried under the weight of internal divisions, and it could not match the BJP’s superior electoral machinery.
The defeats stretched from Delhi to Bihar. The BJP dislodged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, returning to power after three decades and reducing the number of non-BJP-ruled states. In Bihar, the Opposition believed it had a real chance of ending Nitish Kumar’s 20-year rule. Instead, the results surprised many, with Nitish Kumar taking oath for a record tenth time as his party doubled its tally.
So, what went wrong?
In Delhi, the AAP offered to contest the elections jointly with the Congress, but the proposal was rejected as the Congress sought to rebuild its organisation independently. This meant that the INDIA alliance partners ended up contesting against each other. The BJP gained significantly by pushing the ‘sheesh mahal’ narrative, alleging misuse of public funds for the construction of an official residence by a leader who had built his image as a common man. Even committed AAP workers struggled to defend the charge against Arvind Kejriwal.
The Congress remained weak at the organisational level, while the AAP faced criticism over governance and leadership. The BJP, despite not being in power in the city, controlled the political narrative through Parliament, welfare announcements, and aggressive campaigning. The Opposition largely reacted to events instead of setting the agenda.
The setback was even clearer in Bihar, where the Opposition had expected a breakthrough. In 2005, Nitish Kumar had ended Lalu Prasad Yadav’s 15-year rule. His son, Tejashwi Yadav, later emerged as the main Opposition leader in the state.
In the 2020 assembly elections, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tejashwi promised 10 lakh government jobs. His party emerged as the single largest party but failed to form the government. In 2025, a more experienced Tejashwi raised expectations further by promising one government job per family. Many believed that anti-incumbency and concerns over Nitish Kumar’s health would favour the Opposition.
The results, however, told a different story. The RJD lost 50 seats, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) gained 42 seats compared to 2020. Nitish Kumar returned to power with a clear mandate. While the Opposition’s promises drew attention, they lacked clear execution plans. The NDA, in contrast, focused on delivery.
During the campaign, the Bihar government announced several welfare measures, including free electricity for limited usage, higher pensions, reservations for women in government jobs, and free bus travel for women. Women voters played a decisive role in supporting the NDA. Cash assistance of ₹10,000 to women also influenced voting patterns.
The BJP benefited from stronger organisation and unity among its allies. Opposition parties struggled with coordination. Delays in seat-sharing among Grand Alliance partners created uncertainty, and Tejashwi was projected as the chief ministerial face much later in the campaign.
The SIR campaign, which the Opposition had built ahead of the polls, lost momentum by the time voting took place. The overall advantage of the campaign went to the NDA, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Similar trends were visible across the country in 2025. Opposition parties raised issues such as jobs, inflation, and governance, but failed to present credible alternatives. Protests and parliamentary disruptions were limited and short-lived. The BJP used the year to strengthen its organisation and expand its voter base. After the elections, the party chose its next national president from Bihar, appointing Nitin Nabin, a 45-year-old state minister.
By the end of 2025, it was clear that the Opposition’s problem was not a lack of issues but a lack of preparation and unity. The year showed that winning elections requires more than promises. It demands credibility, planning, and strong organisation.
As the next election cycle begins in the coming months, attention will once again turn to the Opposition, particularly in states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, where the BJP is aggressively expanding its presence. The key question for 2026 will be how far the Opposition can limit the BJP’s growth.
