Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on track to secure a significant majority in the Bihar assembly elections, having won 202 of the 243 seats as the counting process approaches its conclusion. The Grand Alliance has only managed to obtain 34 seats, representing one of its poorest showings in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on X, calling the results “a victory for good governance,” while Union Home Minister Amit Shah characterized the outcome as a “fitting response to those who safeguard infiltrators.” This outcome signifies a substantial change from the 2020 election results. The NDA is anticipated to gain over 70 seats, closely corresponding to the Grand Alliance’s setbacks.
Amidst this significant shift, prominent leaders Samrat Chaudhary and Lalan Singh met with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who seems ready to lead an enhanced coalition. The JDU, which secured only 43 seats in 2020, is now projected to exceed 80, while the BJP has emerged as the dominant party in the state with 91 seats. Notably, Tejashwi Yadav successfully retained his seat in Raghopur with a margin of approximately 12,000 votes, even as his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav is likely to lose in Mahua. Both deputy chief ministers are also leading comfortably. Within the Grand Alliance, the RJD holds 27 seats, while Congress is expected to finish with four, placing it behind several smaller parties.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj and Mukesh Sahni’s VIP have again failed to secure any seats. Independents and minor parties are ahead in six constituencies. Amit Shah praised party workers, asserting that the voters sent a “clear message” regarding national security and governance. Modi is anticipated to visit the BJP headquarters in Delhi later in the evening. Key points from the counting so far include NDA gains exceeding 60 seats compared to 2020, the JDU achieving the largest increase of over 40 seats, and LJP (Ram Vilas), contesting 28 seats, leading in 21. JDU’s Tej Pratap is trailing in Mahua, while RJD’s Reetlal Yadav is trailing in Danapur, and RJD’s Khesari Lal has lost in Chhapra.
BJP’s Maithili Thakur is leading in Alinagar.
