With just days remaining until November 14, when Bihar's 243-seat legislative assembly fate will be decided, the atmosphere in Patna is electric with a mix of hope, determination, and unrestrained enthusiasm.
Sweet Preparations and Superstitions
Political party offices across the capital have transformed into centers of intense activity. Workers are decorating walls with leader posters while stockpiling sweets and 'abeer' for anticipated victory celebrations. They're closely studying exit poll predictions and conducting their own analyses.
Near Patna Museum, just meters from the BJP office, party workers and supporters were spotted at a sweetmeat shop preparing traditional treats like ladoos, 'gaja', and 'khaja'. As workers actively rolled ladoos, images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flashed in the background. The preparations included creating symbolic lemon-and-chilli strings to protect against opponents' "evil eye."
Krishna Kumar Kallu, a BJP worker, revealed they placed an order for 501kg of ladoos alongside traditional sweets like 'khaja' and 'gaja'. "People of Bihar have given the mandate to the NDA. The exit polls reflect the will of Bihar's people, and an NDA government is certainly being formed again," he declared enthusiastically while stirring a large cauldron.
When questioned about potential disappointment if results don't favor them, Kallu laughed and responded: "Nothing will turn bland as we have put lemon and 'chilli' for protection." Another worker mentioned they used light sugar in all sweets considering everyone, including those with diabetes.
Cross-Party Confidence and Celebrations
The air around the BJP office on Beerchand Patel Path resonated with chants of "Narendra Modi zindabad" and "2025, phir se Nitish" as workers busied themselves with preparations.
A short distance away, the mood at the RJD office remained equally cheerful as party workers prepared for result day. "Our government will be formed and all preparations are being made for victory celebrations," claimed one worker.
Mrityunjay Tiwari, RJD spokesperson, stated that all party workers and supporters were arranging garlands, bouquets for leaders and candidates, sweets, firecrackers, and 'abeer'. "We will celebrate Holi, Diwali, and Eid, all on counting day, because we are sure that Mahagathbandhan government will be formed after that. We feel confident that the party will get up to 150 seats," he expressed.
Congress workers at Sadaquat Asharam echoed similar sentiments, though on a smaller scale—their projected 20-30 seats fueling dreams of political revival. The party predicted a wave of change on counting day.
Star Candidates and Personal Stakes
Multiple parties have arranged for Bhojpuri folk troupes to remain on standby for celebration events.
The pre-result excitement extends to residences of prominent candidates, where personal stakes intensify the drama. The Patna residence of JD(U) nominee Anant Singh's wife transformed into a mini-fortress of festivity. Supporters constructed a sprawling pandal capable of hosting over 50,000 people, with kitchens preparing feasts of sweets for result day.
A large team of confectioners arrived at Singh's residence to prepare 200,000 'rasgullas' and 'gulab jamuns' over two days. Two milk tankers worth ₹6 lakh were ordered specifically for sweet preparation.
Meanwhile, RJD chief Lalu Prasad's elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, who formed his Jansahakti Janta Dal before elections, stated he doesn't believe in exit polls. "I am sure that I am winning the Mahua seat... We are not preparing for celebration, we are preparing for work," he commented.
As counting day approaches, Patna remains engulfed in election fever, with all major political players confident about victory and making elaborate arrangements to celebrate what they believe will be a favorable verdict from Bihar's voters.
