Bihar Election 2025: NDA Set for Victory as Jan Suraaj Fails to Make Mark
The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 results are unfolding with clear indications of a decisive victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while newcomer Jan Suraaj, launched by political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, is struggling to make an impact. According to Election Commission trends available at 10:45 am, the NDA is heading for a clean sweep, significantly outpacing the Mahagathbandhan opposition alliance.
ECI Trends: A Clear Picture Emerges
The Election Commission of India's data paints a stark picture of the electoral battle. As of the 10:45 am update, Jan Suraaj had failed to open its account, meaning the party had not won a single seat. This outcome aligns with what most exit polls had predicted for Prashant Kishor's political debut. The trends also indicated that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a key component of the Mahagathbandhan, was being pulled back by the performance of its alliance partners, further solidifying the NDA's lead.
Exit Polls vs. Reality: A Predicted Outcome
Multiple exit polls conducted before the counting of votes had largely forecasted the current scenario. They unanimously predicted a return of the NDA government with a substantial majority, while projecting a disappointing debut for Jan Suraaj.
The key exit poll predictions were:
- Axis My India: NDA 121-141 seats, Mahagathbandhan 98-118 seats, Jan Suraaj 0-2 seats.
- People's Pulse: NDA 133-159 seats, Mahagathbandhan 75-101 seats, Jan Suraaj 0-5 seats.
- Matrize: NDA 147-167 seats, Mahagathbandhan 70-90 seats, Jan Suraaj 0-2 seats.
- JVC: NDA 135-150 seats, Mahagathbandhan 88-103 seats.
Jan Suraaj's Optimistic Stand
Despite the overwhelming trends, Jan Suraaj remained publicly confident. Party spokesperson Vivek Kumar made a statement at 5 am, before the results became clear, expressing a different expectation. "We are confident that for the first time in 30-35 years, the people of Bihar are winning," Kumar said. He argued that the very presence of a new option forced the government to perform, stating, "In a state where votes have always been cast based on caste and religion, for the first time in 40 years, the government opened its coffers."
He dismissed the exit polls as "fake" and promised a surprise once the EVMs were opened. "When the EVMs are opened tomorrow, you will see the magic of the public. A new system will be created tomorrow," he had asserted. However, the actual results did not materialize in the party's favor.
Prashant Kishor's Strategic Decision
A significant detail in this electoral contest was that Prashant Kishor himself did not contest the Bihar Election 2025. The master strategist, who launched Jan Suraaj on October 2, 2024, had explained this decision to news agency PTI. He revealed that the party had collectively decided that he should not run for a seat, as contesting would have distracted him from the crucial organizational work needed to build the party from the ground up.
The 2025 Bihar election results underscore the formidable challenge new parties face in established political landscapes. While the NDA celebrates its anticipated return to power, the story of Jan Suraaj serves as a reminder of the gap between political ambition and electoral ground reality.
