Bihar elections: defying trends, incumbency, NDA is back in power

NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has retained power after winning a see-saw electoral battle spearheaded by  RJD chief  Tejaswi Yadav led Mahagathbandhan proving all predictions wrong. In the 243-member Legislative  Assembly, majority mark is 122. There was an average of 35 rounds of counting in each constituency and the final results would be declared late tonight on November 10. Counting commenced at 8 am IST but was inordinately delayed due to increase in the number of EVMs and counting centres following Covid-19 protocols making it mandatory for voters, polling officials and law and order enforcers to maintain social distancing. Around 4.10 crore votes were cast in the election, says the Election Commission of India. RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav wins Hasanpur seat by 21,139 votes. HAM president Jitan Ram Manjhi wins Imamganj seat by a margin of 16,034 votes. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM is emerging as a surprise package, winning one seat and leading in four others. The LJP led by Chirag  Paswan with its unimpressive performance has damaged the JDU headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in at least 30 seats, according to the latest trends. JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi told PTI in New Delhi that a “sinister” campaign was run against Nitish Kumar as part of a “conspiracy”. Election Commission has rejected  Mahagathbandhan’s complaint against the state administration for allegedly indulging in foul play in declaring election results in 8 seats. With 77 seats RJD has emerged as the largest party in the assembly followed by BJP which has won 72 seats. Congratulating the voters, PM Modi says that they have rejected casteism to give priority to development programs. BJP leaders have made it clear that incumbent Nitish Kumar, who belongs to OBC, will head the Bihar government for the fifth term. “NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi & Nitish Kumar has won 125 seats. Time for big celebrations. Congratulations Team’’ says BL Santosh, National General Secretary (Organisation) of BJP.