The BJP-led alliance appeared on course for a decisive victory in Bihar, leading in nearly 200 of the 243 seats as counting began. Early returns showed the opposition ahead in fewer than 40 seats, making a comeback unlikely. The polls followed a contested voter-roll revision and recorded a record turnout of 66.91%, with women casting votes at a historic 71.6%. Observers said the outcome will be closely watched ahead of several important state elections next year.
Modi-Led Alliance Poised for Decisive Win in Bihar — BJP–JD(U) Leading in Nearly 200 Seats
The BJP-led alliance appeared on course for a decisive victory in Bihar, leading in nearly 200 of the 243 seats as counting began. Early returns showed the opposition ahead in fewer than 40 seats, making a comeback unlikely. The polls followed a contested voter-roll revision and recorded a record turnout of 66.91%, with women casting votes at a historic 71.6%. Observers said the outcome will be closely watched ahead of several important state elections next year.
08:08 PM, 11/14/2025Politics
Modi-Led Alliance Poised for Decisive Win in Bihar
Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated as early counting suggested the BJP-led coalition was heading for a decisive victory in the northern state of Bihar. Counting began at 08:00 local time (02:30 GMT), and the alliance was reported to be leading in nearly 200 of the 243 assembly seats.
Election officials cautioned that results could shift as counting continued, but with the opposition ahead in fewer than 40 seats in early returns, it appeared unlikely to recover enough ground to change the overall outcome.
Contested Voter-List Revision
The polls followed a contested revision of the electoral rolls. Opposition parties accused the exercise of removing genuine voters — particularly from Muslim communities — to benefit the BJP. Both the BJP and the Election Commission have denied these allegations. In September the commission published a revised roll of 74.2 million voters after removing 4.7 million names; the same revision exercise is being implemented across 12 states and federally administered territories.
Turnout and Voter Dynamics
Voting took place on 6 and 11 November, and the Election Commission reported a turnout of 66.91% — the highest in Bihar since the state's first elections in 1951. Women recorded a historic turnout of 71.6% this year, and analysts say targeted welfare and financial assistance programs, particularly those associated with outgoing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, resonated with many female voters.
Political Context and Key Players
The BJP-led alliance includes Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), with JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar serving as the outgoing chief minister. Their principal opponents were a coalition of the national Congress party, regional Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and several smaller parties. The RJD is led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, who remains an influential figure despite legal troubles and health concerns; his son, Tejashwi Yadav, was projected as the opposition's chief ministerial candidate.
The election also saw the entry of campaign strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, whose new Jan Suraaj party was not leading in any seats in the early returns.
Why This Matters
Bihar — home to more than 74 million registered voters and among India's poorest states — is politically significant. Millions of its residents migrate for work, and the state remains one of the few where the BJP has not yet formed a government on its own. Observers said the Bihar result would be watched closely as a bellwether ahead of other key state elections next year in West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has struggled to expand its presence.
Additional reporting: Abhishek Dey
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