Bihar Assembly Election Results 2023: Congress Performance Drags Down Mahagathbandhan Alliance as NDA Takes Lead

Exit polls have predicted a significant decline for Congress in this election, forecasting only 14 seats compared to the 19 seats they won in 2020.

Congress, which has historically struggled in Bihar, appears to be underperforming once again in the state that held elections in two phases on November 6 and November 11.

Initial trends indicate that Congress, contesting 61 seats as part of Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Mahagathbandhan alliance, is leading in only 11 constituencies - eight fewer than their previous election victory. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav's RJD is showing leads in 58 out of 143 seats, CPI(ML) Liberation in three out of 20 seats, and CPI in one out of nine seats. The Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), which is competing in 12 seats, currently leads in just one. Two other left parties - India Inclusive Party (IIP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) - contesting three and four seats respectively, have not secured leads in any constituency.

During the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, RJD emerged as the single-largest party with 75 seats. However, Congress performed below expectations, contributing to the NDA forming the government. Despite being allocated 70 seats, Congress won only 19. The Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a majority in the 243-member Assembly, primarily driven by BJP's 74 seats, while JD(U) secured 43 seats.

If similar results materialize this year, Congress could become a liability for the grand alliance.

The Opposition alliance comprises RJD, Congress, and Left parties as primary constituents. The NDA coalition includes BJP, JD(U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).

Congress remains defiant despite early numbers, with party leader Pawan Khera stating, "These are just the early trends," while alleging 'vote chori' by the ruling BJP.

Today's Bihar Assembly election results will determine whether Nitish Kumar - Bihar's longest-serving chief minister - maintains his position for a fifth consecutive term. Early leads suggest the alliance has surpassed the majority threshold of 122 seats in the 243-member assembly.

Exit polls had also forecast that the ruling NDA would retain power in Bihar with BJP emerging as the single-largest party. A composite of nine exit polls indicated the ruling NDA would secure 147 seats while the grand alliance would win 90 seats. The predictions suggest RJD will win between 57 and 69 seats - down from their previous 75. Congress is expected to decline from 19 seats to 14, while Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party may secure one seat.