The political landscape of Bihar is witnessing a nail-biting contest as early trends from the ongoing elections show the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) surging ahead. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its key ally, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], are maintaining a steady lead over the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan. These preliminary figures suggest a potential NDA victory, reinforcing its dominance in Bihar’s political arena.
NDA Takes Command in Early Trends
According to initial data from the Election Commission, the BJP-JD(U) alliance is leading in over 130 seats, while the RJD and its allies are ahead in approximately 90 seats. This early advantage signals a strong resurgence for the NDA, which faced tough competition from the Mahagathbandhan in pre-poll surveys.
Why NDA is Leading: Key Factors
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Modi’s Campaign Blitz: The BJP’s aggressive campaign, led by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, focused on development, nationalism, and welfare schemes like PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi. Hindutva and national security also resonated with core voters.
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Nitish Kumar’s Governance: Despite anti-incumbency murmurs, Nitish Kumar’s “Sushasan Babu” image and schemes like bicycle distribution for schoolgirls and prohibition retained rural and women voters.
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RJD’s Challenges: Tejashwi Yadav’s promises of job creation and social justice struggled to expand beyond the Yadav-Muslim vote bank, limiting its reach against NDA’s broader appeal.
Key Constituencies to Watch
- Patna Sahib: BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad leads, reinforcing urban stronghold.
- Hajipur: JD(U) candidate challenges RJD ally, showcasing Nitish Kumar’s influence.
- Raghopur: Tejashwi Yadav faces a tight contest as NDA gains ground in his bastion.
Market & Public Reaction
Stock markets reacted cautiously positive to NDA’s lead, signaling optimism for Bihar’s infrastructure growth. Meanwhile, RJD supporters await late surges in counting trends.
What’s Next?
If trends continue, NDA may cross the 122-seat majority mark. However, Bihar’s history of surprises keeps final results unpredictable. Stay tuned for updates.
