Patna: Authorities in Bihar have increased monitoring in the state’s border areas, yet the open borders with Nepal and West Bengal continue to complicate efforts to control underground betting operations ahead of the Bihar Assembly election results. Local officials report that bookmakers are already placing financial bets prior to the announcement of the mandate, speculating on the outcome while Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) remain sealed. Betting market forecasts suggest the NDA is anticipated to win between 125 and 135 seats, while the INDIA bloc is expected to secure 100 to 120 seats. Despite the NDA’s public assertions of “crossing 200,” betting circles seem less optimistic about such a landslide victory.
Instead, substantial wagers are being placed on the vote margins in key constituencies, particularly those of Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, referred to as the “hot seats” of this election. Significant bets are reportedly being made in constituencies like Forbesganj (BJP vs Congress), Araria (Congress vs JD(U)), Narpatganj (BJP vs RJD), and Dhamdaha (JD(U) vs RJD). Similar betting activity has also been observed in Saharsa, Madhepura, and Katihar, where betting amounts remain unusually high. Across the border, Viranagar in Nepal and Siliguri in West Bengal have become prominent centers for political wagering. Traders from Rajasthan and Bihar are reportedly involved in these illegal cross-border activities. Authorities assert that strict actions are being implemented.
“We have heightened surveillance across all border points,” stated Mukesh Kumar Saha, SDPO of Forbesganj. “Anyone caught engaging in illegal betting will face severe legal repercussions.” Observers caution that the growth of political betting in border regions could jeopardize voter trust and the integrity of elections. As the final results are set to be announced on November 14, attention remains on whether enforcement agencies can control these networks before Bihar’s political future is determined.
