Patna: As Bihar anticipates the Assembly election results on November 14, new information has surfaced regarding the aerial campaign efforts that characterized this electoral season. Helicopters and chartered planes played a crucial role in the political contest, with leaders from both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Grand Alliance accumulating a total of 1,600 flying hours throughout two phases of voting. Official statistics indicate that NDA leaders logged 1,200 hours in the air, while Grand Alliance leaders spent 400 hours airborne. The campaign involved a total of 770 helicopter and chartered plane flights, with daily costs reaching approximately ₹2.5 crore.
Rising Airborne Campaign Expenses This election season saw a significant increase in spending on aerial campaign travel compared to the 2020 elections. The total expenditure surged from ₹26 crore in 2020 to nearly ₹45 crore in 2025, marking a 1.5-fold increase. The NDA’s spending comprised the majority at ₹34 crore, while the Grand Alliance accounted for ₹11 crore on helicopter services. First Phase Affected by Weather and Festivals During the first phase of campaigning, helicopters and chartered planes completed 320 flights, with NDA leaders undertaking 256 flights and the Grand Alliance completing 64. However, operations were suspended for five days due to Diwali, Chhath, and adverse weather conditions.
The campaign reached 18 districts, with Madhepura and Saharsa being the most distant from Patna. The second phase saw heightened activity, with a total of 450 flights—310 by NDA and 140 by Grand Alliance leaders—across 20 districts. Prominent Leaders in the Air The NDA’s key campaigners, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP President JP Nadda, and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan, relied heavily on helicopters to attend various rally locations each day.
For the Grand Alliance, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was a prominent figure, often speaking at over a dozen rallies in a single day, with Congress leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot, and Bhupesh Baghel also making extensive use of helicopters. Tej Pratap Yadav also campaigned via air. Helicopter Rentals and Usage The NDA utilized 14 helicopters, including 12 for BJP leaders and two for JD(U) leaders Nitish Kumar and Lallan Singh. Upendra Kushwaha and Chirag Paswan also used NDA helicopters for their rallies. The RJD rented two helicopters, one for Tejashwi Yadav and another for senior party officials, while Congress employed two helicopters for its campaign activities.
High-Profile Travel Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Bihar on the B777 aircraft (Air India One), equipped with missile defense systems, and later switched to the Mi-17V5 Air Force helicopter to access rally venues. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar utilized a twin-engine Airbus H145, which costs around ₹2 crore per month to rent and seats eight passengers, featuring rear clamshell doors for easy access. Tejashwi Yadav campaigned in a Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter, known for its luxurious interiors and leather seating, combining comfort with prestige. The Helicopter Effect: A Symbol of Power Beyond mere convenience, helicopters have emerged as symbols of political influence and spectacle in Bihar’s elections.
They not only facilitated rapid access to remote locations but also attracted crowds in villages eager to witness the aircraft. As Patna Airport’s hangars filled with helicopters this season, it became evident that Bihar’s electoral landscape had truly ascended into the skies.