8 Exit Polls Predict Landslide NDA Victory in Bihar; Prashant Kishor’s Bid Falters
The ruling alliance is projected to win over 130 seats in the 243-member assembly, comfortably crossing the 122-seat majority threshold, according to all eight polls.
New Delhi: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to secure a commanding victory in the Bihar assembly elections, according to four major exit polls released on Tuesday. The polls indicate a strong pro-incumbency wave, with pollster Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party failing to make a significant impact in the triangular contest.
Exit Poll Projections
The Dainik Bhaskar exit poll has forecasted a comfortable win for the NDA, projecting it to secure between 145 and 160 seats. Similarly, the Matrize exit poll predicts an even larger mandate, with the NDA expected to win between 147 and 167 seats in the 243-member assembly. While exit polls provide an early glimpse into voter sentiment, their predictions have been known to be inaccurate in the past and should be viewed with caution.
A High-Octane Campaign
The election was marked by an intense, high-octane campaign. The NDA, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, based its pitch on development and welfare schemes. The leaders crisscrossed the state, reviving the “jungle raaj” narrative to caution voters against the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The alliance also made several promises, including ₹10,000 for women to start businesses and 125 MW of free electricity.
The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, countered with its own set of populist promises. It offered one government job per family and a one-time payment of ₹30,000 to economically disadvantaged women. The Congress, a key alliance partner, focused its campaign on allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft) against the BJP, while the NDA countered by accusing the opposition of encouraging “ghuspaithiyas” (illegal immigrants).
Also read: Scathing Attack On RJD : Bihar Needs Startups Not ‘Hands Up’ Gang : PM Narendra Modi
End of an Era in Bihar Politics
Regardless of the final outcome, this election is widely seen as marking the end of an era in Bihar politics. It is expected to be the last election for JD(U) patriarch Nitish Kumar, who has served as Chief Minister for over 19 years. On the other side, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has already passed the political baton to his son, Tejashwi Yadav, who was the face of the opposition’s chief ministerial campaign.