PATNA, Nov 14: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took an early lead in the Bihar Assembly elections, currently leading in 166 out of 243 seats, significantly surpassing the majority mark of 122 seats, according to the Election Commission. The opposition coalition, known as the INDIA bloc, lags far behind, leading in only 59 seats as counting continues.
The NDA coalition, comprising major parties like the BJP, JD(U), and others, demonstrates significant strength in the early stages of counting. Notably, the BJP has a leading edge in 72 seats, while the JD(U) is tracking closely behind with leads in 71 constituencies. Other NDA allies, such as the LJP (RV), HAM(S), and RLM, show moderate performances in this initial phase.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has struggled to make a substantial impact, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leading in only 43 seats. The opposition Congress party has secured a lead in eight constituencies, while CPI(ML)-Liberation stands at six, with CPI and CPI(M) claiming one seat each.
Election officials warn that these figures may shift dramatically as numerous rounds of counting remain pending, and trends could reflect changing dynamics in voter sentiment.
In the meantime, several key candidates are making headlines. Notably, RJD’s Khesari Lal Yadav trails in the Chhapra constituency, while BJP’s Maithili Thakur leads in Alinagar. In Ragunathpur, RJD’s Osama Shahab holds a lead position, and JD(U) minister Leshi Singh shows promise in Dhamdaha.
The INDIA bloc’s expected Chief Minister candidate Tejashwi Yadav has managed to maintain a lead in Raghopur, which remains crucial for the party’s overall strategy. Other deputy chief ministers, such as Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, are also leading their respective constituencies.
However, not all candidates from the INDIA bloc seem to be faring well. In Mahua, Tej Pratap Yadav finds himself trailing in fourth place, while LJP(RV)’s Sanjay Kumar Singh is currently in the lead.
As the counting process unfolds, the political landscape in Bihar remains dynamic, with party leaders eagerly awaiting both the results and potential shifts in voter trends across the state. With a number of constituencies still left to be counted, both the NDA and INDIA bloc strategists will be keenly observing the outcomes to determine their next steps.
