Voting in the two-phase Bihar Elections got over on Tuesday and exit polls released yesterday have projected a big win for the incumbent National Democratic Alliance government. The opposition Mahagathbandhan is projected to wrap up with double-digit seats in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly, while the new entrant, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj may end up with zero to single-digit seats.
Mahagathbandhan’s CM candidate, Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal has rejected the exit polls, alleging that these were conducted at the behest of the BJP. He said the exit poll results are only meant to create a psychological impact.
The NDA leaders, on the other hand, have welcomed the exit poll results and thanked the people of Bihar for reposing their faith in the Nitish Kumar government.
With just two days left for the counting of votes for the Bihar elections on November 14 (Friday), here are the top news updates from Bihar on Wednesday, November 12.
Congress MP and former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh has claimed that if the NDA wins more than 140 seats in the Bihar Assembly Election, it will mean there was fraud.
"When I visited there, it was an equal fight... If the NDA wins by more than 140 seats, it will be due to a manipulated voter list and a manipulated EVM."
Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav too has rejected exit poll projections, expressing doubts over how these are conducted. "After 5:30 pm, these people decided in half an hour whose government would be formed? First, the vote percentage dropped to zero after 69 lakh," he said.
"And about women, you are saying that in every Assembly constituency we gave 10,000 women Rs. 10,000 each... You will see what the exact polls will be... Now, by stealing votes, you will misuse your power again; that is a completely different matter. You play dirty games because you have power. This time, the new generation wants change. You should understand this."
Congress MP KC Venugopal has hit out at the Election Commission of India following the exit poll projections, calling it a 'compromise commission'.
"Exit polls in Haryana predicted a landslide victory for Congress, but what happened? We have now demonstrated what happened in Haryana. Let us wait for the real results..."
Janshakti Janata Dal chief and candidate from Mahua seat, Tej Pratap Yadav too has rejected the exit polls. He said, "I don't believe in exit polls. We can't say what will happen on 14th November...Let's see what happens."
"I am winning the Mahua seat...Jashn ki tayari nahi, hum kaam ki tayari karte hain..."
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge had rejected the exit polls, asking everyone to wait and watch.
"All the exit polls are showing a lead for the NDA. They indicate that there isn’t much support for the Mahagathbandhan. Similarly, in Haryana, exit polls had shown that Congress would win, but the results turned out the opposite, and the BJP came to power. Let’s wait and watch what happens when the actual results come."
Congress MP KC Venugopal has hit out at the Election Commission of India following the exit poll projections, calling it a 'compromise commission'.
"Exit polls in Haryana predicted a landslide victory for Congress, but what happened? We have now demonstrated what happened in Haryana. Let us wait for the real results..."
BJP leader Santosh Kumar Singh said while commenting on exit poll projections, that the people of Bihar are with Nitish Kumar and PM Modi. He told reporters: "I thank the people of Bihar. This time, the people of Bihar stand with Modi and Nitish Kumar. The work Prime Minister Modi has done for women is clearly visible."
Congress MP KC Venugopal commented on Bihar exit polls while speaking to reporters: "We exposed what happened in Haryana after exit polls showed Congress win... wait for the real (Bihar) result."
Tejashwi Yadav also took a dig at TV channels of the exit polls that predicted a win for the NDA. The TV channels showing exit poll results also reported the demise of Dharmendra ji yesterday. I have never seen such journalism, the RJD leader said.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has said the high polling percentage in Bihar clearly suggests that the people have voted for change. The Mahagathbandhan CM candidate said the feedback which they have shows the BJP and the NDA people sweating.
"People are restless and panicked... We neither live in false hope from surveys nor in delusion. These surveys are brought only to pressure election officials and create a psychological impact," Tejashwi said.
"There was a high voter turnout and people voted against this (Nitish Kumar) government... There is going to be a change this time, there is no scope for any ifs or buts," he added.
Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha has thanked the people of Bihar for voting in favour of the NDA government, referring to the exit poll projections.
JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said the Bihar election results will be in the NDA's favour as women have voted in large numbers this time. "Whenever women have participated in large numbers, results have been in our favour."
Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal has expressed confidence in NDA's return in the state. "Voters across Bihar have made up their minds, 'Phir Ek Baar NDA Sarkaar'," Jaiswal said, adding women have come out in large numbers to vote.