The Bihar Assembly Election of 2025 has officially kicked off with the counting of votes for its 243 assembly seats. Initial trends indicate that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is taking a commanding lead, securing early leads on 61 seats compared to the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) which is ahead on 40 seats. This is based on reports from television news channels, although official figures from the Election Commission of India are still pending. Voter turnout has been noteworthy, with approximately 67.13% of the electorate casting their votes, marking one of the highest participation rates in the state's electoral history.
The NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, aims to reclaim power by highlighting its governance achievements over the past two decades, while also relying on the support garnered from Prime Minister Modi's eleven years in office at the national level. Conversely, the opposition alliance, known as the INDIA bloc, campaigns based on themes of anti-incumbency and critiques against misgovernance, along with promises for jobs, hoping to pivot the electorate's sentiment against the sitting government.
Bihar holds a significant place in Indian politics due to its size, population, and tumultuous economic landscape. Despite being home to 10% of India's population, the state contributes only around 2.8% to the country's total economy, indicating challenges in economic output and living standards. As the counting progresses, both coalitions are optimistic that the high voter turnout signifies public backing for their respective agendas.
The results are crucial not only for the political landscape of Bihar but also reflect broader socio-economic issues affecting the state. Early projections from exit polls suggest that the NDA is likely to maintain control, although they also warn of a tightly contested battle between the two alliances. The counting process commenced at 8:00 AM, with postal ballots counted first, followed by electronic vote counts starting at 8:30 AM. As political observers await the complete results, the central question remains: will Nitish Kumar retain his position, or will Tejashwi Yadav of the MGB emerge victorious? The answer will soon be unveiled as the counting continues to unfold.