Bihar Polls 2025: Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) dominates early trends, targets big win
Patna – Bihar witnessed a historic election season in 2025. The state broke its turnout record since 1951. It recorded a sharp rise in participation as voters came out in large numbers across the two-phase polling that ended on November 11. The Election Commission reported a turnout of 66.91%, the highest ever in the state’s electoral history. Women led this surge. While 71.6% women stepped out to vote, men reached only 62.8%. This shift strengthened the narrative of women shaping Bihar’s political course.
Officials managed the massive exercise with precision. As many as 8.5 lakh polling staffers worked on the ground. Along with them, 1.4 lakh polling agents represented 2,616 candidates. The administration deployed 243 general observers, 38 police observers, and 67 expenditure observers to monitor the process. For the first time, Bihar also welcomed 16 foreign delegates from six countries as election observers. Their presence added global attention to this high-voltage contest. Counting began at 8 AM today, setting the final stage for a decisive political shift.
The results will capture a direct clash between the ruling JD(U)-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. Both alliances fought the elections with sharp messaging and contrasting promises. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party entered the battlefield with claims of becoming a strong alternative. However, exit polls indicated little support for the new outfit and predicted a clear edge for the NDA. Analysts noted that these surveys sidelined the Mahagathbandhan. In response, Tejashwi Yadav accused the pollsters of acting under BJP influence. He claimed they tried to pressure Election Commission officials to tilt the results in the NDA’s favour.
Meanwhile, the NDA camp projected confidence. Leaders claimed the alliance would cross 200 seats with ease. The Opposition countered this with its own narrative. Tejashwi Yadav declared that he would break Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s winning streak. He said Bihar wanted change and would trust a younger leadership this time. Both camps intensified their campaign tone as the voting day neared.
The election campaign saw bitter exchanges. The NDA and Mahagathbandhan attacked each other over governance, crime, corruption, and personal issues. Leaders traded barbs over Chhath Puja, family disputes, and accusations of ‘jungle raj’. A series of high-profile murders, including those of policemen, businessmen, and an NRI, deepened the political tension. The Mahagathbandhan blamed the NDA for rising crime. The NDA countered by invoking the Lalu-Rabri era and called it the “real jungle raj”. These charges shaped the political mood throughout the campaign.
Today’s results will show whether Bihar wants stability under Nitish Kumar or a shift toward Tejashwi Yadav. Voters will decide whether the state continues with a leader known for switching alliances to retain power or embraces a new political chapter under the Yadav family scion. As counting progresses, Bihar awaits a verdict that could realign the state’s political future.
