Patna: Purnea MP Pappu Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the ruling party cannot win elections “without lying, money power and theft.”

Yadav also accused the BJP of attempting to install a government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, despite the ongoing contest with the Mahagathbandhan.

“BJP cannot win any elections without lying, money, power, and theft. BJP also tried its best to ensure that the BJP government is formed instead of the Nitish government… Women and youth voted in favour of the INDIA alliance,” Yadav told ANI. He claimed that the state’s women voters, in particular, rallied behind the Mahagathbandhan.

The Purnea MP expressed strong confidence that the Mahagathbandhan would emerge victorious, pointing to what he described as widespread “anger” against the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

“I am confident the public has bestowed their trust on the Mahagathbandhan… There was anger among the public against the NDA alliance and they wanted change,” he said.

Bihar is set for counting day today, with the process beginning at 8 am across the state. Security personnel have reached counting centres in Patna, Gaya and other districts ahead of the exercise.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha, who is contesting from Lakhisarai, offered prayers at a local temple before the counting began.

The state recorded 66.91% voter turnout across the two phases of polling held on November 6 and 11—its highest since 1951, according to the Election Commission. The first phase saw 65.06% turnout, while the second phase recorded an impressive 68.76%.

The contest is primarily between the ruling NDA—which includes BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha—and the Mahagathbandhan led by Rashtriya Janata Dal along with Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj also made its electoral debut this year.

Most exit polls have projected an edge for the NDA, indicating that the alliance may return to power.