JDU's Shalini Mishra Secures Decisive Victory in Kesaria
In a significant development from Bihar's political landscape, Janata Dal United's Shalini Mishra has emerged as the clear winner from Kesaria assembly constituency following an extensive counting process that spanned 22 rounds. The final tally showed Mishra securing an impressive 78,192 votes, establishing a commanding lead over her closest competitor.
Detailed Vote Count and Candidate Performance
The electoral battle in Kesaria witnessed a strong contest between three main contenders. Shalini Mishra of JDU dominated the polls with 78,192 votes, demonstrating significant voter support for the ruling alliance. Her nearest rival, Varun Vijay from VIP, managed to secure 61,852 votes, while Jan Suraaj's Naj Ahamad trailed with 11,206 votes.
The polling for this crucial seat had concluded on November 11 during the second and final phase of the Bihar state assembly elections. The counting process, which extended through 22 rounds, reflected the closely watched nature of this constituency.
Historical Context and Constituency Profile
Kesaria assembly constituency, situated in Purvi Champaran district, represents a general category seat and forms one of the six assembly segments that constitute the Purvi Champaran Lok Sabha constituency. Known for its politically aware electorate, Kesaria has frequently played a pivotal role in determining the region's political direction.
This victory marks Shalini Mishra's continued dominance in the constituency, having previously won the 2020 assembly elections with 40,219 votes (26.59%). In that election, she defeated Santosh Kushwaha of RJD, who had secured 30,992 votes (20.49%), with a victory margin of 9,227 votes (6.10%).
Record Voter Participation and Broader Implications
The 2025 elections witnessed remarkable voter engagement across Bihar. While Kesaria recorded a voter turnout of 62% in the 2020 elections, the current election saw Bihar achieving an unprecedented overall polling percentage of 67.14%, the highest ever recorded for a state assembly election in the region.
Exit polls released after the final phase of polling had predicted a comfortable lead for the ruling NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while indicating that the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan might fall short of the majority mark. Mishra's substantial victory in Kesaria reinforces this trend and strengthens NDA's position in the state assembly.
The decisive mandate in Kesaria, coupled with the record voter turnout, underscores the electorate's active participation in shaping Bihar's political future and reflects broader voting patterns emerging across the state.
