Bihar Awaits High-Stakes Verdict as Counting Begins
The political fate of Bihar is set to be decided today, November 14, 2025, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) begins counting votes for the high-stakes Assembly elections. The state witnessed a gripping bipolar contest between the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, with the RJD's Tejashwi Yadav at the helm. All eyes are on whether the exit polls, which predicted a clear victory for the BJP-JD(U) alliance, will hold true or if the opposition can stage an upset.
Record-Breaking Voter Turnout Sets the Stage
The two-phase polls for the 243-member Bihar assembly concluded on November 11, culminating in a historic 67.13 per cent voter turnout, the highest ever recorded in the state's electoral history. The first phase of voting on November 4 saw 65.08% participation, while the second phase on November 11 surged to 69.20%. Both the ruling NDA and the Opposition Mahagathbandhan have claimed that this significant increase in voter participation works in their favor. Historical data from the past 17 Assembly elections in Bihar reveals that an increase in voter turnout has led to a change in government on five separate occasions, adding an extra layer of suspense to today's outcome.
Key Constituencies to Watch as Trends Emerge
As counting commences at 8 am, several key constituencies will serve as crucial indicators of the final result. The trends from these seats will offer early signals about the potential formation of the next government.
Raghopur: This RJD and Yadav-family bastion in Vaishali district is witnessing a high-profile contest where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is pitted against BJP's Satish Kumar Yadav.
Mahua: In a battle of family dynamics, Tejashwi's elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, is contesting from his new party, the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), against the sitting RJD MLA, Mukesh Kumar Raushan.
Lakhisarai: An NDA stronghold, this constituency features Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha facing a challenge from Jan Suraaj’s Suraj Kumar and Congress candidate Amaresh Kumar.
Tarapur: The other Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary, is locked in a triangular contest against RJD’s Arun Kumar and Jan Suraaj’s Santosh Kumar Singh.
The Ultimate Question: A Repeat or an Upset?
The central question dominating political discourse is whether RJD's Tejashwi Yadav can defy the exit polls and unseat the experienced Nitish Kumar from the chief minister's post. The verdict day is poised to be a dramatic culmination of a fiercely contested election, with the results from these key constituencies expected to paint a clear picture of Bihar's political future by the end of the day.
