NDA Gains Early Edge in Bihar Polls, According to TV Reports

PATNA, Nov 14: The ruling NDA appeared to secure an early lead in the Bihar assembly elections on Friday morning, with several television channels projecting the BJP-JD(U) alliance ahead as counting continued for all 243 seats across 46 centres in 38 districts. The Election Commission had not released any official trends at the time.

According to CNN-News18, the NDA was leading in around 60 seats, while the INDIA bloc was ahead in 30, and the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) in two. NDTV projected the NDA ahead in 77 seats and the INDIA bloc in 50. ABP News showed the NDA leading in 50 constituencies, the INDIA bloc in 30, and Jan Suraaj in three.

TV9 Bharatvarsh indicated that the NDA was ahead in 49 seats, while the INDIA bloc led in 30. Zee News reported NDA leads in 54 constituencies, the INDIA bloc in 28, and JSP in three. India Today’s early figures placed the NDA in the lead with 82 seats, while the RJD led Mahagathbandhan was ahead in 57.

Vote counting began at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes from 8.30 am, officials said. The two-phase Bihar elections are widely viewed as a significant test for JD(U) president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose political standing has faced scrutiny amid shifting alliances and anti-incumbency.

Political analysts say the results will also serve as a barometer of public support for the Narendra Modi led government at the Centre, especially after setbacks in last year’s Lok Sabha polls. A strong performance by the NDA would reinforce the perception that the coalition has regained ground. For the INDIA bloc, a robust showing would provide a crucial morale boost after electoral defeats in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi, which it has attributed to “vote theft”.

Clearer trends are expected to emerge later in the day as counting continues across the state.