Bihar Exit Polls Predict Landslide NDA Victory with 152 Seats Amid Record Voter Turnout

The Bihar exit polls have been released, with all nine polls unanimously predicting a substantial victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state elections.

Bihar conducted its elections in two phases (November 6 and 11) and witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout. Historically, the state has struggled with low electoral participation and closely contested races.

According to the exit poll average, the ruling NDA is projected to secure 152 seats, while the mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance is expected to win 84 seats.

The seat predictions for NDA from various polling agencies are as follows: Chanakya Strategies projects 130-138 seats, Dainik Bhaskar forecasts 145-160, DV Research predicts 137-152, JVC estimates 135-150, Matrize suggests 147-167, P-Marq indicates 142-162, People's Insight predicts 133-148, Peoples Pulse forecasts 133-159, and TIF Research projects 145-163 seats.

It's important to note that exit polls have often been inaccurate in their predictions.

The mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, comprises the Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party.

Nitish Kumar has served as Chief Minister since 2005, with a brief interruption when Jitan Ram Manjhi held the position, although his coalition partners have changed throughout this period.

In 2013, Kumar made a surprising move by aligning with former rival Lalu Yadav, ending his 17-year alliance with the BJP. After winning the 2015 elections in partnership with RJD and Congress, he resigned in 2017 and rejoined the BJP-led NDA.

The alliance continued through 2019, but Kumar departed from the NDA again in 2022. By January 2024, citing delays and leadership issues within the opposition, he returned to the NDA and has since affirmed his commitment to remain with the BJP.

The BJP and JDU are contesting 101 seats each, marking the first time since 2005 that both parties are competing for an equal number of seats. This arrangement highlights the parity between JDU and BJP, with the latter historically being the junior partner in their alliance.