According to the Election Commission of India, Bihar polled 66.19 percent, the highest turnout recorded since 1951.
Published Nov 14, 2025 | 7:06 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2025 | 2:48 PM
Nitish Kumar. (X)
Stakes are high for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Mahagathbandhan, even as exit polls — 11 of them — are predicting a comfortable win for Nitish Kumar & Co in the two-phased election to the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly.
The polling, held on 6 and 11 November, sprang a surprise, which has won the curiosity of political pundits. Governments changed whenever Bihar recorded an increased voter turnout — a phenomenon seen in 1967, 1980 and 1990.
According to the Election Commission of India, Bihar polled 66.19 percent, the highest turnout recorded since 1951. In 2020, the turnout was 57.29 percent.
However, Bihar not only recorded the highest polling percentage since 1951, it also retained NDA.
The NDA fought the election seeking a third term for Nitish Kumar, and a mandate validating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years at the country’s helm. The Mahagathbandhan tried to rake up anti-incumbency sentiments, while political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party tried to make a mark in Bihar’s political landscape.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face, is trailing in Raghopur by 3,230 votes less than BJP's Satish Kumar.
After 10 rounds of counting, Yadav secured 36,950 votes while Kumar got 40,180.
Following the NDA lead in Bihar, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X in Hindi, " The game that SIR played in Bihar will no longer be possible in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, UP, and other places now because this electoral conspiracy has been exposed. From now on, we will not let them play this game. Like CCTV, our 'PPTV', meaning 'PDA Sentinel', will stay vigilant and thwart the BJP's intentions.BJP is not a party; it is deceit."
BJP workers are celebrating the result favouring the NDA, as trends predict a massive victory, with laddus and dhols at the Patna party headquarters.
After the initial leads suggested an NDA victory in Bihar, Congress leader Udit Raj posted on X in Hindi, "SIR is moving towards victory."
According to ECI data, the NDA shows no sign of going down from its comfortable lead, with the BJP and the JD(U) taking the front well above the majority mark.
BJP is leading in 84 seats while JD(U) is leading in 77 seats.
According to ECI data, the NDA continues to hold on to a decisive lead. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is leading in 22 seats,
Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan is trailing with RJD having a lead in 35 seats and the Congress having an upper hand in only five seats.
Other leads:
CPI(ML)(L) 7
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 5
AIMIM 3
Rashtriya Lok Morcha 2
CPI(M) 1
BSP 1
Vikassheel Insaan Party 1
Former poll strategist Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, which made its poll debut in Bihar, said the election turned out to be a 10,000-rupee election. Until now, the party has not led in any seats.
"This election turned out to be a 10,000-rupee election. We sold our votes for a mere 200 rupees per month. When will we understand that our vote is worth far more than this?" the party posted on X, taking a dig at the NDA government's financial assistance to women just ahead of the polls.
According to ECI data, the NDA continues to hold on to a decisive lead.
Principal NDA constituents are way ahead of the Mahagathbandhan with the BJP leading in 82 seats, and the JD(U) in 80.
Other leads:
RJD 33
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 22
Congress 5
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 4
AIMIM 3
Rashtriya Lok Morcha 2
CPI(M) 1
BSP 1
CPI(ML)(L) 6
As NDA crosses the majority mark, Union Minister and HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said, “This is not unexpected. We were saying from the beginning that NDA will form the government with a thumping majority and Nitish Kumar will be the CM. We are heading towards that. Going by the trends, we will not be anywhere less than 160 seats. They (Mahagathbandhan) will be restricted to 70-80 seats. Nitish Kumar hi banenge mukhyamnatri… (Nitish Kumar will be the CM).”
According to NDTV, at 10.30 am, the NDA has a massive lead of 169, while the Mahagathbandhan has a lead in just 70 constituencies.
According to ECI data, the NDA is holding on to a decisive lead, which could pave the way for continued governance in the state.
Principal NDA constituents are way ahead of the Mahagathbandhan with the BJP leading in 73 seats, and the JD(U) in 78.
Other leads:
RJD 41
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 18
Congress 7
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 5
AIMIM 2
CPI(M) 1
BSP 1
CPI(ML)(L) 5
CPI 1
According to ECI data, the NDA is holding on to a decisive lead, which could pave the way for continued governance in the state.
Principal NDA constituents are way ahead of the Mahagathbandhan with the BJP leading in 59 seats, and the JD(U) in 62.
Other leads:
RJD 34
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 15
Congress 10
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 4
Vikassheel Insaan Party 1
AIMIM 1
CPI(M) 1
BSP 1
CPI(ML)(L) 2
The Plurals Party 1
Independent 1
According to ECI data, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) has taken the lead in 43 seats while its ally BJP is leading in 44 seats.
Other leads:
RJD 24
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 12
Congress 6
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) 3
Vikassheel Insaan Party 1
AIMIM 1
CPI(M) 1
CPI(ML)(L) 1
The Plurals Party 1
According to the ECI, the BJP is leading in 20 seats and its ally JD(U) in 15 seats.
RJD is in a distant third with a lead in six seats. Congress and LJPRV are leading in three seats each, while the CPI(ML)(L) is leading in one seat
According to the ECI data, the BJP has taken the lead in seven seats. JD(U) is leading in three seats, while RJD and LJPRV and Congress are leading in two each.
Early trends are also showing that singer Maithili Thakur, who is making her poll debut, is leading in Alinagar.
Early trends show that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate, is leading in Raghopur.
According to the early trends of the counting of postal ballots, the BJP is leading over the Mahagathbandhan.
The counting of votes for all 243 Assembly seats in Bihar has begun under tight security. The vote counting has begun with the postal ballots.
RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s chief minister face Tejashwi Yadav said, “We are going to win. There will be a change this time.”
Exit polls released by several agencies after polling ended indicated a clear advantage for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Most surveys projected the alliance comfortably crossing the halfway mark in the 243-member Assembly, signalling that Kumar’s record tenure in office may be set to continue.
