Patna (Bihar) Hours before counting begins for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the state is bracing for a high-stakes political battle that will determine whether the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returns to power or the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) led by Tejashwi Yadav stages a dramatic turnaround.

Making its electoral debut, the Jan Suraaj Party of former poll strategist Prashant Kishor has injected additional suspense into the contest, with observers watching closely to see whether Bihar’s political landscape is set for disruption or continuity.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the two-phase polling held on November 6 and 11 registered a record turnout of 67.13 per cent — the highest since 1951 — and witnessed zero repolls across all 38 districts. Women voters recorded a historic participation rate of 71.6 per cent, the highest ever in the state.

With unprecedented turnout, tight security, and flawless polling, November 14 is poised to reveal whether voters have opted for Nitish Kumar’s continuity, Tejashwi Yadav’s promise of change, or a new alternative in Jan Suraaj.

The majority mark is 122 in the 243-member Assembly, and both NDA and MGB have expressed confidence in crossing the threshold. Most exit polls, however, have indicated an edge for the NDA.

Counting will begin at 8:00 AM across all 243 constituencies with over 4,372 counting tables, 243 Returning Officers, and nearly 18,000 counting agents deployed. VVPAT slips will be cross-verified at five polling stations in every constituency.

The NDA comprises the BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The Mahagathbandhan includes the RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

During the campaign, the NDA showcased its development record while the Mahagathbandhan sought to highlight alleged youth “discontent”, unemployment, and issues of social justice.

Expressing strong confidence, BJP leader and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said only “a few hours are left before the people of Bihar get good governance, PM Modi's motivation, and Nitish Kumar's diligence again.” Senior BJP leader Prem Kumar asserted, “NDA is going to form the government in Bihar. The opposition is running away from reality. Mahagathbandhan is living in illusion, and its illusion will soon be dispelled.”

The Mahagathbandhan, however, has maintained it is on the verge of a “historic victory”. After a meeting at his residence in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav said the alliance would form the next government. He accused the administration of planning to “delay counting” and “manipulate results”, claiming a repeat of 2020 tactics. “We are completely confident that we are forming the government with a clear majority,” he said, warning officials against any “unconstitutional” actions.

RJD leader Sunil Singh added to the tensions by cautioning that attempts to tamper with the mandate would lead to “the same scenes witnessed on the roads in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka… on the roads of Bihar as well.” He alleged that in 2020, “many RJD candidates were forcibly defeated,” prompting calls for vigilance among party workers. His comments triggered widespread condemnation and an FIR under multiple sections, including the Representation of the People Act and IT Act.

BJP’s Bihar President Dilip Jaiswal said, “Bihar is a state governed by law and order, and any individual or group issuing provocative statements will face appropriate action.” JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Prasad dismissed the RJD’s claims as signs of “already staring at defeat”. “These people have already lost. Wherever their defeat seems certain, these people start creating a ruckus,” he said.

Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary criticised RJD’s tone, saying, “If RJD has been rejected since 2005, it's because of their way of working. Victory or loss must be accepted with humility.” LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary accused the RJD of attempting to disturb peace, while Union Minister Chirag Paswan termed the remarks “provocative outbursts of frustration.”

BJP leaders Giriraj Singh and Neeraj Kumar projected a “landslide victory” for the NDA, with Giriraj asserting that the people had voted for “development under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar.” JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha said the opposition had “already accepted defeat”, and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha warned that “those trying to establish gunda raj” would be dealt with firmly by the Election Commission.

Despite this, the Mahagathbandhan leadership has remained firm in its optimism. RJD leader Prem Chand said, “We will get more than 162 seats.” Tejashwi Yadav reiterated during an online review that RJD workers were “alert, vigilant, and fully prepared” to ensure fair counting.

In the 2020 Assembly elections, held in three phases, the NDA had won 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured 110. Among the NDA partners, JD(U) won 43 of the 115 seats it contested, while the BJP secured 74 out of 110. In the Mahagathbandhan, the RJD won 75 of 144 seats and the Congress bagged 19 of the 70 it contested. (ANI)