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The Opposition flagged concerns about his failing mental health. His ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, shied away from showcasing him as the National Democratic Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate.

But as results from the Bihar assembly elections poured in on Friday, Nitish Kumar demonstrated once again that he is the tallest leader in Bihar.

The NDA has wrested a landslide victory, with his party, the Janata Dal (United), nearly doubling its tally.

Here are five reasons why Nitish Kumar is the real winner of the election.

Also read: Why Biharis are not done with Nitish Kumar yet