Bihar Assembly Elections 2020: NDA Leads as Exit Polls Favor Nitish Kumar
The high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections have concluded, and nine major exit polls unanimously predict a decisive majority for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With polling now over, political analysts and voters await the official results on November 10, but exit polls suggest a clear advantage for the incumbent alliance.
Exit Polls Project NDA Victory
Leading polling agencies, including Axis My India, Today’s Chanakya, and C-Voter, project the NDA to secure 125–160 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, trails with an estimated 75–110 seats.
The NDA’s campaign—combining Nitish Kumar’s governance record with PM Narendra Modi’s popularity—reportedly resonated with voters across caste and demographics. In contrast, the opposition’s focus on unemployment and rural distress may have fallen short.
Why NDA is Ahead: Key Factors
- Nitish Kumar’s Development Push – Schemes like Jeevika (women’s empowerment) and infrastructure growth strengthened his rural and female voter base.
- BJP’s Grassroots Strength – PM Modi and Amit Shah’s rallies, along with welfare schemes (Ujjwala, PM-Kisan), boosted NDA’s appeal.
- Strategic Caste Alliances – NDA’s Kurmi-Koeri, upper-caste, and EBC (Extremely Backward Class) outreach countered RJD’s Yadav-Muslim base.
- Opposition Vote Split – Chirag Paswan’s LJP may have hurt Mahagathbandhan by dividing anti-NDA votes.
Mahagathbandhan’s Challenges
- Internal Rifts – Congress-RJD seat-sharing disputes weakened unity.
- Jobs Promise vs. Central Schemes – Tejashwi Yadav’s 10 lakh jobs pledge was countered by NDA’s Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan.
- Modi’s Last-Minute Rallies – PM Modi’s campaign in Seemanchal and Mithila likely swayed undecided voters.
What’s Next for Bihar Politics?
If exit polls hold, Nitish Kumar will secure a fourth term, but BJP’s growing influence may trigger power-sharing discussions. For RJD, a loss could slow its resurgence, though Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as the main opposition face.
Final Results Await
While exit polls aren’t foolproof (recall Mahagathbandhan’s 2015 upset), the consistency of these projections suggests an NDA mandate. Tune in for real-time updates on November 10 as Bihar’s political future unfolds.
