‘People’s victory’: Leaders of both Mahagathbandhan and NDA exude confidence, reading early trends in their favour

The high-stakes Bihar assembly polls’ counting process is underway across districts, with results likely to be declared later in the day. The process began at 8 am today, with postal ballot counting starting first, followed by EVM counting at 8:30 am. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13% voter turnout, the highest since 1951, with women voters outdoing men (71.6% vs 62.8%), in the two-phase voting held on November 6 and November 11.

Meanwhile, as counting is underway for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly, leaders across parties are projecting confidence and reading early trends in their favour.

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The NDA camp remains highly optimistic. JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha said the early trends are unfolding “exactly as expected,” crediting Prime Minister Modi’s campaign and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s determination.

He also accused the opposition of “disconnected and absurd rhetoric,” suggesting voters will not forgive such remarks.

Reacting to early trends that show an edge for the NDA in the Bihar election results, Jha said, “I think the NDA will win by a big margin, and the result is moving exactly in the direction we expected. The way PM Modi campaigned and the way the Chief Minister showed determination, our victory is certain. The Mahagathbandhan leaders were busy sharing portfolios even before the results, unaware of the ground reality. We were on the ground, and people want Nitish Kumar to be CM again. They (RJD) are talking about turning Bihar into Nepal – this is the kind of absurd language people never forgive. They are frustrated, which is why they are saying such senseless things.”

Exit polls majorly predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP-led alliance, though their accuracy remains uncertain. Early numbers projected a neck-to-neck contest.

Meanwhile, VIP chief and INDIA bloc’s deputy CM face Mukesh Sahani, visited a Hanuman temple this morning before resting at home due to ill health, with party aides saying he appeared “relaxed.”

RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari maintained that initial trends already show the Mahagathbandhan leading in several seats, expressing confidence that “within one or two hours, it will become clear” that the alliance is forming the next government.

Tiwari said, “In the initial trends that have come in, a close contest is visible, but in many places the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan is ahead. We have full hope and confidence that within one or two hours, it will become clear that the Mahagathbandhan is forming the government in Bihar.”

Key candidate and alliance Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial face RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav had on Friday morning  exuded confidence in the victory of RJD, stating that a “people’s victory” is imminent, claiming that “change will come” and that his party is “forming the government.”

Other RJD leaders had joined him in the chorus, saying there is massive support for change and that districts like Gaya have consistently stood with the party.

“It will be a people’s victory. We are willing. Change will come. We are forming the government,” Tejashwi had told reporters here.

Speaking to reporters in Gaya, RJD leader had said, “There is support from everyone, and there is a feeling of change in Bihar, and Tejashwi’s government is coming. When it comes to Gaya, the Gaya district is always lucky for the RJD party. When nobody supported RJD, people of the Gaya district always supported us.”