During the exit polls, it was made clear that Nitish Kumar led NDA alliance will win with clear majority in Bihar elections. Though the NDA alliance lagged behind during the initial stages of counting, it suddenly picked up pace and left the RJD alliance behind. However, it remains to be seen if the same trend will continue till evening.
When the counting started in the morning, Tejaswi Yadav led RJD alliance was having a lead in nearly 112 constituencies. Then, began the actual story. Suddenly, both RJD and NDA were fighting neck to neck and it is at this point, NDA secured a 5-seat lead. And thereafter, NDA alliance picked up speed and had 130 seats in its kitty, while RJD was relegated to 100 seats.
By the time, we went to print, this was the final tally. And one thing appears quite clear from the trend. The people of Bihar have reposed their faith in the ruling BJP and Nitish Kumar. Despite allegations of neglecting the plight of migrant workers both by BJP and Nitish Kumar, people have still voted for Nitish Kumar’s government. One important point to note here is that BJP has secured a good majority in the elections, while RJD has clearly lost its base.
Prior to polls it was felt that Nitish Kumar’s stand on prohibition would mar his chances and many felt that Tejaswi Yadav’s promise of 10 lakh jobs to youth would work in his favour. However, given Nitish Kumar’s standing as a CM who ruled the state for 15 years, worked in his favour. Also, he going into people saying that it was ‘his last election’ also struck a chord with people of Bihar who are brink of voting him back to power.
On the other hand, Biharis didn’t seem to have forgotten the graft and various misdeeds during the rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav. However, from the votes polled, it is clear that Tejaswi Yadav can hope for a majority in the next elections.
With Bihar, one thing is out in the open. People have voted big time for Narendra Modi-led BJP, in the first major assembly elections in a state during Covid times. The party has also done well in local elections in few other states. Another case in point is Madhya Pradesh, where the party had a clear win.
That leaves Congress in a pitiable state. A lack of strong leadership has left the party in a lurch.