Patna: The NDA has surged to a commanding lead in the Bihar assembly elections, with early trends giving the alliance 201 out of 243 seats, signalling one of the most decisive mandates in the state’s recent political history. The Grand Alliance, led by the RJD and Congress, is ahead in only 36 seats, placing it at less than half the NDA tally.
Initial counting indicates a major shift from the 2020 results. The NDA appears to have gained more than 65 seats, while the Grand Alliance has shed almost the same number, reshaping Bihar’s political map.
At the centre of the turnaround is the Janata Dal (United), which was reduced to 43 seats in the last election. This time, the party is leading in 75+ constituencies, strengthening expectations that Nitish Kumar is set to return as chief minister for an unprecedented tenth term. The BJP, meanwhile, is emerging as the single largest party with leads in 91 seats.
On the opposition side, the RJD is ahead in only 26 seats, far below its previous tally, while the Congress, contesting 61 seats, is leading in just four. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj, which fielded candidates across all 243 seats, appears unlikely to secure even a single win. Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, too, remains without a gain.
Among prominent candidates, Tejashwi Yadav has taken the lead in Raghopur, reinforcing the constituency’s loyalty to the RJD’s heir apparent. His elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, is trailing in Mahua. On the NDA side, deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary leads comfortably from Tarapur.
In Karakat, Pawan Singh’s wife continues to trail.
Meanwhile, Independents are leading on five seats—reflecting pockets of localised political churn.
This election has already made history in one respect: Bihar recorded a turnout of 67.10% across its two phases of polling, the highest ever, and nearly 10 percentage points higher than the 2020 assembly turnout.
Counting at a glance
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NDA gains more than 60 seats compared with 2020
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JDU up by 40+ seats, the largest gainer
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LJP leads in 21 of 28 seats it contested
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NDA leads in seats held by all 29 ministers
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Tejashwi Yadav ahead in Raghopur
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Tej Pratap trailing in Mahua
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RJD’s Osama Shahab leads in Raghunathpur
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JDU’s Vijay Chaudhary ahead in Sarairanjan
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RJD’s strongman Ritlal Yadav leading in Danapur
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Bhojpuri actor and RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav trailing in Chhapra
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BJP’s Bhojpuri singer Maithili Thakur leading in Alinagar
