Political temperatures soared across Bihar on Thursday as both the ruling NDA and opposition Mahagathbandhan camps anxiously awaited the assembly election results scheduled for Friday. The record-breaking voter turnout, particularly among women, has left both political blocs uncertain about the final outcome.
Nervous Anticipation Grips Political Camps
Leaders from both sides admitted to having their fingers crossed as the counting day approached. The unusually high voting percentage of 59.70% recorded in the two-phase elections conducted on November 6 and 11 has created an atmosphere of unpredictability. What stood out particularly was the significant participation of women voters, whose turnout exceeded male voters by almost 8%.
While many INDIA bloc leaders remained indoors, gathering last-minute feedback from ground workers, others visited temples seeking divine intervention. Some opposition leaders were seen offering ladoos at religious sites before congregating at Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's residence for a crucial meeting.
Contrasting Approaches on Eve of Counting
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar maintained a low profile throughout Thursday, making only a brief appearance at the JD(U) war room near his official residence in the afternoon. Despite his limited public presence, his party expressed confidence about returning to power.
The opposition camp, however, displayed visible signs of tension. RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh, considered close to the Lalu Prasad family, issued a strong warning about a potential Nepal-like uprising if any administrative irregularities occurred during vote counting. He specifically referenced several seats that RJD had lost by narrow margins in the 2020 elections.
In sharp contrast, JD(U) spokesman Neeraj Kumar responded calmly, listing four constituencies where his party candidates had suffered defeats by less than 1,000 votes during the same election cycle.
Financial Transfers and Employment Promises
Political analysts suggest that the government's transfer of Rs 10,000 each to approximately 1.5 crore Jeevika Didi beneficiaries before elections might have significantly influenced women voters. This financial incentive could prove decisive if the NDA manages to secure victory.
Conversely, if the Mahagathbandhan emerges victorious, credit would likely go to Tejashwi Yadav's promise of providing one government job to every household and a monthly cash incentive of Rs 2,500 to women. The opposition had primarily campaigned on issues of migration and unemployment throughout the election period.
Stakes High for Key Political Players
The election results will test whether Nitish Kumar still possesses the political influence to sway electoral outcomes in favor of whichever alliance he joins. The verdict will also determine the future trajectory of both Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and the BJP in Bihar politics for years to come.
Adding complexity to the political landscape is the failing health of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who continues to command substantial influence over Yadav and Muslim voters, thereby benefiting his son Tejashwi. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar's advanced age raises questions about whether he will remain the NDA's chief ministerial face in subsequent elections.
BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal dismissed the RJD leader's statements as frustration anticipating defeat, calling such remarks an insult to voters. The police subsequently filed an FIR against Sunil Singh at the cyber police station for allegedly provoking and threatening peace through social media posts.
As political parties await the final verdict, one senior NDA leader acknowledged that caste dynamics and financial incentives had played decisive roles in bridging the narrow gap between votes for change and continuity of the current government.
