Ask Onix
BJP-led alliance secures commanding lead in Bihar polls
Supporters of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated Friday as early vote counts showed their alliance surging toward a decisive victory in Bihar, India's northern state, with leads in nearly 200 of 243 seats.
Counting began at 08:00 local time (02:30 GMT), with results trickling in throughout the day. While shifts in individual constituencies remain possible, the opposition-currently ahead in fewer than 40 seats-faces an insurmountable deficit, analysts said.
Record turnout amid voter roll controversy
The election, held on November 6 and 11, saw Bihar register its highest voter turnout since 1951, with 66.91% participation, according to the Election Commission. The polls followed a contentious revision of voter rolls, which opposition parties alleged was designed to exclude legitimate voters-particularly Muslims-and favor the BJP. Both the party and the Election Commission denied the accusations.
The revised rolls, released in September, listed 74.2 million eligible voters-4.7 million fewer than previously registered. Critics condemned the purge, part of a broader effort now underway in 12 states and union territories, as politically motivated. The BJP and Election Commission dismissed the claims as baseless.
Alliance dynamics and key players
The BJP's coalition, anchored by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), dominated the race. Kumar, a veteran leader who has governed Bihar for most of the past two decades, campaigned heavily on welfare programs targeting women-a demographic that turned out in record numbers. Female voter participation hit 71.6%, the highest in state history, with women comprising nearly half the electorate.
Analysts credited Kumar's social welfare schemes, including financial aid initiatives, for resonating with female voters. The opposition alliance, led by the Congress party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), trailed significantly despite fielding Tejashwi Yadav, son of RJD stalwart Lalu Prasad Yadav, as its chief ministerial candidate. Yadav, a former chief minister convicted in corruption cases, remains on bail and was not actively campaigning due to health issues.
New entrants and future implications
The election marked the debut of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party, though it failed to secure leads in any constituency. Kishor, a political strategist who previously advised both the BJP and Congress, entered the fray as a reform-focused outsider but gained little traction.
For the BJP, the Bihar victory serves as a momentum boost ahead of critical state elections in 2026, including West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu-regions where the party has historically struggled. Bihar, India's poorest state with over 74 million voters, remains a prized but elusive stronghold; the BJP has never governed it alone.
Reactions and what's next
BJP leaders, including Modi, hailed the early trends as a mandate for development, thanking voters in public statements. The opposition coalition has yet to respond to the results.
The election may also mark the final active campaign for Bihar's longtime political heavyweights: Kumar, 73, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, 76, both of whom have shaped the state's politics for nearly 40 years. Their rivalry, punctuated by occasional alliances, has defined Bihar's governance-though their advancing age and health concerns suggest a generational shift looms.
"This is a victory for Bihar's aspirations. The people have spoken clearly for stability and progress."
BJP spokesperson (paraphrased from party statements)
