‘Too early to celebrate’: Mixed reactions as Bihar exit polls show NDA advantage

Ptana: Exit polls released on Tuesday predicted a comfortable majority for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, with several surveys showing the alliance crossing the majority mark of 122 seats.

According to multiple agencies, including Dainik Bhaskar and Matrize, the NDA is projected to win between 145 and 167 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) may secure between 70 and 91 seats. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, contesting for the first time, is expected to get between 0 and 5 seats.

What are exit polls?

Exit polls are post-voting surveys conducted to estimate how people voted. They are based on interviews with voters immediately after they cast their ballots. While exit polls provide early indicators of the likely outcome, their accuracy can vary, and actual results often differ from projections.

NDA leaders confident of clear victory

BJP MP Jagadambika Pal said that the outcome was evident from the first phase of voting itself. “Even before the Exit Polls, the voting of the first phase made it clear that the NDA will form the government. For the first time after independence, 65.8% voting took place in Bihar,” he said from Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

JD(U) MP Devesh Chandra Thakur expressed confidence in a stronger-than-predicted performance. “We believe the NDA will get around 160–170 seats. People have faith in Nitish Kumar’s leadership and the development done under him,” he said, adding that the RJD’s promises of job creation “were seen as exaggerated.”

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also thanked voters for their support, saying reports from across regions “indicate that the double engine government will be back in Bihar.”

INDIA bloc dismisses exit polls

Meanwhile, opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc have dismissed the projections, claiming the actual results will tell a different story.

RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, “People who believe in exit polls will only be happy for two days; Mahagathbandhan will come to power in Bihar.”

Congress leader Rajesh Thakur from Jharkhand argued that higher voter turnout usually signals anti-incumbency. “If there is a high turnout in polling anywhere, it is understood that the current government there will be ousted. Tejashwi Yadav will be the next CM of the state,” he said.

The Bihar Assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. As political parties brace for the verdict, both the NDA and INDIA bloc remain confident of victory, setting the stage for a high-stakes result day.