The counting of votes for the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections began at 8 am on Friday, with early numbers placing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead across several constituencies.
By 8:45 am, initial trends showed the NDA leading in 80 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan was ahead in 55. Officials are currently scrutinising postal ballots, which form the first phase of the counting process.
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RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face, has taken an early lead in his Raghopur constituency. Notably, singer-turned-politician Maithili Thakur, contesting her first election on a BJP ticket, is leading in Alinagar.
The results from all 243 constituencies will determine whether JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar—Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister—secures a record fifth term, or if the state is headed toward a change in leadership.
This year’s election, conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, witnessed a historic voter turnout of 67.13%—the highest ever in Bihar.
Most exit polls have forecast a decisive victory for the NDA, though Tejashwi Yadav has rejected these predictions, asserting that the Mahagathbandhan will secure a strong mandate.
Key contenders across the political spectrum include Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, JJD leader Tej Pratap, and Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
