Counting of votes for Bihar’s 243-member assembly began at 8 AM on Friday, November 14, after two phases of voting on November 6 and 11. The majority mark in the assembly is 122 seats, and all eyes are on the results. The election has seen high voter turnout, strong campaigns, and heated controversies.
NDA Banking on Nitish and Modi’s Image
The ruling NDA, led by CM Nitish Kumar, is aiming to retain power in Bihar. Nitish Kumar, a veteran socialist leader, has shifted alliances between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan in the past years but is widely known for his governance and welfare schemes. PM Narendra Modi’s campaigning and popularity have also played a major role in the NDA’s strategy.
Tejashwi’s Promises to Voters
RJD-Congress Mahagathbandhan’s CM face, Tejashwi Yadav, promises change and a job for every family. The younger leader positions himself as a new alternative to entrenched politics, with strategist Prashant Kishor guiding the campaign. Caste factors influenced ticket distribution, promises, and voter sway for all parties.
The Election Commission has put EVMs and VVPATs under strict double-lock security inside strong rooms. Central paramilitary forces guard the inner layer, while state police provide the outer security. CCTV cameras monitor all 46 counting centres around the clock to ensure transparency.
Exit polls favour NDA, Tejashwi Confident
Most exit polls predict an NDA victory, estimating 121–209 seats for the alliance, comfortably above the majority mark. But Tejashwi Yadav dismissed these projections, saying the Mahagathbandhan will form the government with a “thumping majority” based on internal feedback. Exit polls in 2020 were inaccurate, while 2015 predictions were off in final numbers despite naming the right winner.
The ‘PK factor’
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, despite early buzz, is not expected to win more than five seats according to exit polls. PK has stated his party will either form the government or stay below 10 seats. He focused on youth issues and unemployment, and could play a key role if the assembly verdict is indecisive.
Preferred CM face
Interestingly, despite predicting NDA wins, some pollsters (Axis My India and People’s Pulse) show Tejashwi as the “most preferred candidate for chief minister.” Axis My India reports 34% of voters prefer Tejashwi, compared to 22% for Nitish Kumar.
Record voter turnout
Bihar recorded nearly 67% voter turnout, the highest since Independence. Historically, high turnout has coincided with government changes at least three times in Bihar, signaling potential challenges for the NDA.
RJD’s allegations and controversies
RJD alleged vote theft at Sasaram, claiming a truck “allegedly loaded with EVMs” entered without notice and demanded CCTV footage. Rohtas district magistrate Udita Singh countered that the truck carried “empty steel boxes,” not EVMs.
Ahead of counting, Bihar DGP filed an FIR against RJD MLC Sunil Singh for “undesirable and inflammatory statements.” He had warned, “If the public mandate is stolen,” people would protest, citing Nepal and Bangladesh, where youth-led movements had occurred. Tejashwi Yadav also warned NDA could “slow down the vote count” and “murder democracy” through fear tactics.
NDA confident, celebrations planned
Buoyed by exit polls, NDA leaders are confident of outperforming predictions. BJP workers in Patna ordered 501 kilograms of laddoos to distribute as “prasad” on the counting day. However, victory processions are banned in Patna to maintain law and order.
The vote count in Bihar promises suspense, drama, and a test of political strength, with millions of citizens watching as the state decides its next government.
