Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is heading towards a commanding majority in the Bihar assembly elections, securing 202 of 243 seats as counting nears its final phase. The Grand Alliance, meanwhile, is left with 34 seats, marking one of its weakest performances in recent years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X describing the outcome as “a victory for good governance”, while Union home minister Amit Shah said the mandate was a “befitting reply to those who protect infiltrators.”
The results mark a dramatic shift from 2020. The NDA is projected to gain more than 70 seats, almost mirroring the Grand Alliance’s losses. In the midst of the landslide, senior leaders Samrat Chaudhary and Lalan Singh met chief minister Nitish Kumar, who appears poised to lead a strengthened coalition.
The JDU, which won just 43 seats in 2020, is now above 80, while the BJP has emerged as the state’s largest party with 91 seats.
Among key candidates, Tejashwi Yadav retained his seat in Raghopur with a margin of around 12,000 votes, even as his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav faces near-certain defeat in Mahua. Both deputy chief ministers of the state are also comfortably ahead.
In the Grand Alliance, the RJD stands at 27 seats, while the Congress is likely to end with four—a performance that places it below several smaller parties. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj and Mukesh Sahni’s VIP once again appear unable to open their accounts. Independents and smaller groups are leading in six constituencies.
Amit Shah congratulated party workers, adding that the electorate had delivered a “clear message” on national security and governance. Modi is expected to visit the BJP headquarters in Delhi later in the evening.
Key takeaways from counting so far
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NDA gains 60+ seats compared with 2020
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JDU registers the biggest jump, up 40+ seats
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LJP (Ram Vilas), contesting 28 seats, is ahead in 21
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JDU’s Tej Pratap trailing in Mahua
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RJD’s Reetlal Yadav trailing in Danapur
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RJD’s Khesari Lal loses in Chhapra
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BJP’s Maithili Thakur leading in Alinagar
