NDA storms past 200 seat mark in Bihar Mahagathbandhan wiped out

OSR/India Today
IMP/PATNA, Nov 14 : The NDA stormed past the 200-seat mark in the 243-member Bihar Assembly on Friday, scripting a sweeping mandate that effectively wiped out the Mahagathbandhan. What began as an early lead soon turned into a runaway surge, placing the Nitish Kumar-led alliance on the brink of its most dominant performance in the State.
As of 9.30 pm (published at the Election Commission's website), BJP has won 87 seats and is leading in 2 seats, JD(U) has won 78 seats and is leading in 7 seats, RJD has won 24 seats and is leading in 1 seat, INC has won six seats, AIMIM has won five seats, HAM has won five seats, RSHTLKM has won four seats, CPI (ML) (L) has won two seats and CPI (M) has won one seat.
With 230 seats decided, the NDA is set for a decisive mandate.
Counting began at 8 am, and postal ballots immediately swung the momentum towards the NDA. Within hours, trends showed the BJP, which had insisted on equal seat-sharing, opening up a significant lead over the JD (U). The saffron party’s strong showing has now triggered speculation over who will play the “big brother” in the alliance going forward.
For the Opposition, the election proved disastrous. Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, which emerged as the single-largest party last time, crumbled under the NDA wave, losing more than half its seats. The Congress struggled yet again, reinforcing its status as the Mahagathbandhan’s weakest link. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, touted in some quarters as a possible disruptor, ended up “farsh par”, failing to make any electoral dent.
Exit polls had indicated an NDA edge, but the extent of the sweep, with both BJP and JD(U) clocking massive gains, exceeded most projections. With the BJP clearly outperforming its ally, attention has shifted to the next big question: Will Nitish Kumar take oath as Chief Minister for a record tenth time, or will an assertive BJP push to claim the top post ?
Despite high hopes, Prashant Kishor’s party failed to win any seats in Bihar, with most candidates likely to forfeit deposits. Kishor had predicted JD(U) would win “not more than 25 seats,” but the party is set to cross 80, its best performance since 2010. Once a celebrated strategist behind multiple initiatives, Bihar polls mark a major setback for his leadership ambitions.
BJP emerged as the NDA’s “big brother,” while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) followed. Strong support from Modi and Union Ministers boosted the alliance. Junior partners, Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM, and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM, showed strong leads.
Lalu Yadav's prodigal son Tej Pratap, who floated his own party (Jan Shakti Janata Dal), concedesddefeat in Mahua, praising Bihar voters for choosing a Government committed to good governance. In a twist, his estranged brother Tejashwi Yadav maintains a solid lead in Raghopur.
If the trends hold, Nitish Kumar, written off by many before the campaign began, could return as Chief Minister for a record fifth term. But with the BJP once again outperforming the JD(U), pushback is inevitable.
The NDA's commanding show indicates a 'Nimo' wave (Nitish Kumar + Narendra Modi). The JD(U) chief’s social-welfare plank, backed by a record turnout of women voters, buoyed the party across key constituencies. PM Modi, a perennial vote magnet, front-loaded an aggressive campaign blitz in the run-up to the polls, sharpening attacks on the RJD with the “jungle raaj” refrain.
Prime Minister Modi celebrated the NDA’s historic Bihar win, calling it a “resounding mandate.” Highlighting women and youth, he said the old “MY” (Muslim-Yadav) formula has been replaced by a new, positive MY – Mahila and Youth, whose aspirations and dreams have overturned the old politics of appeasement.
In a dramatic twist in the Bihar election tally, Raghopur Assembly Result: Tejashwi Yadav has retained his Raghopur seat, securing 1.18 lakh votes in the 32nd and final round of counting. He defeated BJP’s Satish Kumar, who received 1.04 lakh votes, with a winning margin of 14,532 votes in a closely watched and high-stakes contest.
Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) has surprised everyone, winning 17 seats and leading in 2 more, taking its tally to 19. Calling himself the PM’s “Hanuman,” Chirag’s strong comeback gives him significant political leverage, potentially even to claim on Deputy Chief Minister’s post.