Nitish Kumar all set for 10th term as NDA gets majority in early trends

way2barak November 14: As counting progresses in the Bihar Assembly elections, early trends show the NDA pulling ahead in more than 160 seats, while the INDIA bloc is leading in around 80 constituencies. The numbers indicate a clear tilt toward the ruling alliance in the initial rounds of counting.

The state recorded 67.13% turnout on November 11, the highest since 1951, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The data shows a record 71.78% participation by women voters, while 62.98% of men cast their votes.

The ECI confirmed that no discrepancies or malpractices were detected during polling, and therefore no re-polling has been ordered at any of Bihar’s 90,740 booths.

“People had already made up their mind that they want the NDA government back in power,” Dileep Jaiswal said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees have worked wonders in Bihar. He emphasised that the early trends are “a clear sign” of the public’s trust in the BJP-led alliance.

“People have shown faith in PM Modi,” he said, attributing the NDA’s strong showing in initial rounds to development promises, welfare outreach and PM Modi’s popularity.

In the latest trends from the Mahua Assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav is currently trailing, marking a setback for the Janshakti Janata Dal chief in one of his most closely watched contests.

Tej Pratap, who won Mahua in 2015 on an RJD ticket, is up against RJD’s sitting MLA Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate Sanjay Kumar Singh, making this a high-stakes, multi-cornered battle.

As counting continues in the Bihar Assembly elections, Union Minister Giriraj Singh sounded triumphant, declaring that the BJP’s next political target is West Bengal. He said, “Bihar ki jeet humaari hai, ab Bengal ki baari hai.”

With the NDA leading in 160 seats according to early trends, Giriraj Singh said the alliance is firmly on track to form the next government in Bihar. He also criticised the opposition, taking direct aim at Mahagathbandhan CM face Tejashwi Yadav.

“We’ll win Bengal too, there’s a government of anarchy there. Tejashwi Yadav had even set the date- the 18th- without a certificate from the Election Commission. He would be called someone who returned from Ranchi and Agra,” Giriraj Singh remarked.

Folk singer–turned–politician Maithili Thakur, contesting her first-ever election as a BJP candidate, is leading in the Alinagar constituency, according to early trends.

Maithili Thakur joined the BJP just a month before the Bihar Assembly elections.