Bihar Election 2025 LIVE: NDA Leads Big, Tejashwi Battles Raghopur Seat

Counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 commenced on Friday, November 14, with early trends showing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossing the majority mark. The coalition, led by the BJP and JD(U), is positioned to return to power, while the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD and Congress, trails in most constituencies.

According to initial updates, NDA leads in 186 seats, with BJP at 84, JD(U) 76, LJP(RV) 22, and HAMS 4. The Mahagathbandhan is ahead in 48 seats, including 36 for RJD, 7 for Congress, 6 for CPI(ML)(L), and 1 for CPI(M). The Jan Suraaj Party is yet to make significant inroads.

JD(U) National Working President and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha stated that the trends aligned with the party’s expectations based on pre-count feedback. “Our early leads reflect the confidence of voters in the NDA alliance,” he said.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the NDA’s early lead as a strong indicator of victory. Speaking at the CII Partnership Summit 2025, he noted that the alliance’s performance in 181-plus seats signaled widespread voter support, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav holds a narrow lead in Raghopur, with BJP’s Satish Kumar trailing by 916 votes. In Chapra, Bhojpuri singer-turned-politician Shatrughan Yadav (Khesari Lal Yadav) is behind BJP candidate Chhoti Kumari by 974 votes, according to early counts. Other notable leads include JD(U) candidates Ajit Kumar in Kanti and Anant Singh in Mokama, while BJP’s Maithili Thakur leads in Alinagar.

Opposition parties expressed caution over the counting process. CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya raised concerns over discrepancies in the electoral rolls, while Tejashwi Yadav called for impartial oversight, recalling alleged manipulation during the 2020 Assembly polls.

The Election Commission of India reported no discrepancies or malpractice at polling stations during scrutiny, and no repolls have been recommended. Counting is conducted across 4,372 tables, monitored by 243 Returning Officers, Counting Observers, and candidate-appointed agents.

Bihar recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13% in the two-phase elections, the highest since 1951. Female participation was at 71.6%, exceeding male turnout at 62.8%, with a total electorate of 7.45 crore, including 3.51 crore women and 3.93 crore men.

All major exit polls had forecast a strong return for the NDA, projecting between 121-167 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan was expected to secure 70-102 seats. Jan Suraaj was predicted to win few, if any, seats.

As counting continues, early trends indicate a decisive edge for the NDA, while a handful of high-profile constituencies remain competitive. Final seat-wise results are expected later in the evening.