On the eve of the highly anticipated Bihar assembly election results, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Sunil Singh found himself in legal trouble after making a provocative statement. An FIR was registered against him for remarks perceived as a threat, suggesting that Bihar could witness public unrest similar to that seen in neighboring countries if the public mandate was not respected.
The Controversial Statement
Addressing a gathering, Sunil Singh alleged that many of the party's candidates were forcibly defeated in the 2020 elections. He issued a stark warning to officials involved in the vote-counting process. "I have requested all our officials involved in the counting process that, if you defeat the person whom the public has given their mandate, the same scenes you witnessed on the roads in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka will be seen on the roads of Bihar as well," Singh declared.
He further claimed that the common people would take to the streets if anything happened against public sentiment. Confidently predicting a victory for his alliance, Singh stated, "We are getting 140-160 seats and the new government will be formed in the state under Tejashwi Yadav's leadership."
Immediate Repercussions and Political Reactions
The Bihar Director General of Police (DGP), Vinay Kumar, swiftly ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Sunil Singh for his inflammatory statement. The police chief emphasized that all necessary security preparations were in place. "Police are deployed in adequate numbers. Victory celebrations by any political party will not be allowed anywhere, as per the Election Commission's guidelines," DGP Kumar assured, adding that the counting of votes would be concluded smoothly.
The remark drew sharp criticism from rival political parties. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha accused the RJD of instigating violence after realizing their impending defeat. "They know what the result will be. They have accepted defeat and started instigating their people," Jha commented, expressing confidence in a huge win for the ruling NDA alliance.
Poll Projections and Electoral Context
As the state awaits the final results, major exit polls have forecast a return to power for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
- Axis My India (AMI) predicted 121-141 seats for the NDA with a 43% vote share, and 98-118 seats for the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan with a 41% vote share.
- Today’s Chanakya projected an even stronger performance for the NDA, suggesting the opposition alliance might not cross the 100-seat mark in the 243-seat assembly.
- A consolidated poll of polls indicated the NDA could secure around 148 seats, with the Mahagathbandhan trailing at approximately 88 seats.
This electoral battle is a direct contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. In the previous 2020 Bihar assembly election, the NDA had won 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured 110 seats.
