Patna: The counting of votes for the Bihar assembly election began on Friday morning, and early trends showed the National Democratic Alliance holding a clear advantage over the Mahagathbandhan. As counting teams opened postal ballots and moved to the first rounds of EVMs, the political atmosphere across the state grew more intense, with supporters from both sides tracking every shift in numbers.
The Election Commission began counting at 8 a.m. across all 243 constituencies. Security was tightened at all counting centres, and only authorised personnel were allowed inside. Initial updates indicated that the NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United, was leading on a significant number of seats. Early figures showed the NDA ahead in nearly 50 constituencies while the Mahagathbandhan had leads in around 29 during the postal ballot stage. These numbers were expected to change as counting progressed into later rounds.
One of the most closely watched seats is Raghopur, where Mahagathbandhan leader Tejashwi Yadav is contesting. Early trends showed him leading, boosting the morale of his alliance. Meanwhile, the performance of JD(U) candidates across the state is being observed closely, as their results will influence Nitish Kumar’s political standing and the internal balance within the NDA.
This year’s election saw an impressive turnout of nearly 67 percent, the highest in recent years. The strong participation reflects the public’s heightened interest in issues such as employment, development, law and order, and governance. Political analysts noted that such high turnout often brings unpredictable results, and many constituencies may witness tight contests as counting moves forward.
Seat-sharing played a major role in shaping the alliances. The BJP and JD(U) contested 101 seats each, while smaller partners in the NDA filled the remaining slots. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD, aligned with the Congress and several regional allies, hoping to build a strong counter to the ruling coalition. The Jan Suraaj campaign led by political strategist Prashant Kishor also contested in select seats, adding another layer of competition in some regions, though its impact remains to be fully assessed.
Exit polls released earlier in the week had predicted a comfortable victory for the NDA, with some surveys projecting up to 160 seats. However, party leaders from both sides expressed caution. Many reminded their cadres that postal ballots and first-round EVM results often do not reflect the final tally, particularly in constituencies with close margins.
The Election Commission has advised patience as counting is expected to continue through the afternoon and possibly into the evening. To form the next government, an alliance must secure at least 122 seats. The final outcome will not only determine who governs Bihar for the next five years but will also carry significant implications for national politics, especially as major parties gear up for upcoming state elections and national strategies.
Supporters from both alliances have gathered outside party offices in Patna, awaiting clearer trends. As the day progresses and more rounds of counting are completed, a clearer picture of Bihar’s next political landscape will emerge.