The political fate of Bihar hangs in balance as the counting of votes for all 243 Assembly constituencies begins on Thursday. This crucial electoral exercise will determine whether Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar achieves a record-breaking fifth term as chief minister or if the state witnesses a dramatic change in government.
Counting Process and Security Arrangements
The vote counting will commence at 8 am under tight security arrangements across the state. Election officials have made elaborate preparations to ensure smooth and transparent counting process. According to election authorities, the initial trends are expected to emerge by approximately 9 am, giving the first indications of which way the political wind is blowing.
This electoral verdict will decide the political future of over 2,000 candidates who contested the assembly polls. Among them, 101 candidates belong to Nitish Kumar's JD(U), making this one of the most significant political battles in recent Bihar history.
Exit Poll Predictions and Historical Context
Most exit polls conducted after the voting concluded have forecast a comfortable victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The alliance comprises five key parties, with JD(U) being a crucial component. According to Axis My India exit poll, JD(U) is likely to win between 56-62 seats, showing significant improvement from their 2020 performance.
In the previous 2020 assembly elections, JD(U) had contested 115 seats but managed to win only 43, suffering a loss of more than 25 seats compared to their 2015 tally. The current predictions suggest a remarkable recovery for the party, with the 75-year-old Nitish Kumar reportedly buoyed by indications of better-than-expected performance.
Key Constituencies to Watch
Several high-profile constituencies will be closely monitored as counting progresses. Among JD(U) candidates, political observers are particularly watching Shrawan Kumar from Nalanda, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary from Sarairanjan, and Narendra Narayan Yadav from Alamnagar. Other significant contests include Kavita Saha in Madhepura, Madan Sahni in Bahadurpur, and Bhisham Kushwaha in Jiradei.
The Mokama assembly seat has emerged as one of the most keenly watched contests, where JD(U)'s Anant Singh is battling against RJD's Veena Devi. Singh, who was arrested and remains in jail over the killing of a Jan Suraaj Party supporter during the campaign, represents a particularly dramatic electoral battle.
Political Reactions and Mood
Ahead of the results, JD(U) leaders expressed confidence about their prospects. Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar asserted that public mood clearly opposes handing over power to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Meanwhile, JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha claimed that the opposition has already accepted defeat and is projecting a huge win for his party in the upcoming vote count.
As counting begins, political parties have stationed their workers and representatives at counting centers to monitor the process. The Election Commission has deployed extensive security measures to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure peaceful completion of the democratic process that will shape Bihar's political landscape for the next five years.
