NDA wave sweeps Bihar; Opposition in tatters

Jailed JDU leader Anant Singh wins from Mokama seat

JDU candidate and influential leader Anant Singh, who is currently in jail in connection with the murder of a Jan Suraaj Party supporter, has secured a victory from the Mokama constituency in Patna. The win comes as vote counting continues for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar 'responsible' for Bihar result: Baghel

Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday took a sharp dig at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, holding him "responsible" for the outcome of the Bihar Assembly elections. As early trends showed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) heading for a sweeping victory in over 180 of the 243 seats, Baghel said the Election Commission's functioning raised serious questions.

Speaking to PTI, Baghel remarked, "The trends indicate that the NDA is heading towards a three-fourth majority. Amit Shah had already spoken about this. If there is one person responsible for this entire election, it is Gyanesh Kumar. Congratulations and best wishes to him in advance."

When asked why he singled out the CEC, Baghel replied, "The way the Election Commission functioned, it made everything clear... Gyanesh Kumar ji's role was crucial in this entire election."

Responding to questions about the Congress-RJD alliance, despite criticisms of the RJD’s past, Baghel said, "Those born 20 years ago don't know about the jungle raj. They know about the current jungle raj, Modi and Shah's."

On concerns regarding EVMs, he added, "There are many more things that will come out," hinting at further scrutiny of the electoral process.

(With agency inputs)

No deaths, no re-polling in Bihar Assembly Elections 2025

For the first time in Bihar's electoral history, the assembly elections concluded without any reported deaths on voting days or the need for re-polling in any constituency. This marks a significant shift from previous elections that were often marred by violence, fatalities, and widespread electoral malpractices.

According to official data, the contrast with past elections is stark. In the 1985 Bihar Assembly elections, 63 deaths were reported, and re-polling was ordered in 156 booths. The situation worsened in 1990, when 87 people lost their lives due to poll-related violence.

In 1995, then Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan had to postpone the Bihar elections four times owing to the scale of violence and irregularities. Similarly, in 2005, re-polling was conducted in as many as 660 booths because of disturbances and malpractice.

This year’s peaceful conduct reflects a notable improvement in electoral management and security arrangements. The two-phase assembly elections were conducted without any major disruptions, and vote counting is currently underway across the state.

The absence of violence and re-polling for the first time sets a new precedent for Bihar, historically known for turbulent election cycles. This development has drawn attention amid the ongoing counting of votes for the 2025 assembly elections.

(With agency inputs)

Voters gave fitting reply to Congress-led alliance’s falsehood: AIADMK

The voters of Bihar have given a fitting response to the Congress-led INDI alliance, rejecting its falsehoods and attempts to undermine the institutions of democracy, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Friday.

The mandate reaffirmed the people’s trust in the NDA and the alliance’s collective leadership and commitment to stability and development, he said.

"On behalf of @AIADMKOfficial, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Avl, Hon’ble Home Minister @AmitShah Avl, and Hon’ble Chief Minister @NitishKumar Avl for their dedicated efforts in securing this victory," Palaniswami said in a post on ‘X.’ He exuded confidence that this strong mandate will further accelerate Bihar’s progress and public welfare.

BJP leads in 91 seats, JD(U) 82; RJD at 27, Congress 4

The BJP is leading in 91 seats and its NDA alliance partner is leading in 82 seats. As for the Opposition, the RJD is leading in 27 seats and Congress is leading only in four seats. 

NDA leads in 200 seats, Mahagathbandhan at just 37

NDA is now leading in 200 seats with the Mahagathbandhan leading in only in 37 54 out of the 243 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. 

Tharoor urges caution, calls for post-poll review

As the NDA maintains a strong lead in the Bihar Assembly Election, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urged caution in drawing early conclusions, noting that the final results are yet to be officially confirmed.

"It's a question of leading at the moment. They are leading by a rather large margin. But let's wait for the Election Commission to discuss and disclose the results," he said.

Tharoor acknowledged the need for introspection within the Congress, while also pointing out the role of its ally. "I am sure that the party has a responsibility to study in detail the causes. But remember, we were not the senior partner in the alliance and that RJD also has to look carefully at its own performance," he added.

He stressed the importance of taking a broad view of the outcome. "It's very important that we look at the totality of our performance. Elections are about a number of factors," he said.

Tharoor also commented on the role of welfare schemes in influencing voters. "The women voters were certainly given some incentives just before the Code of Conduct... I don't think it's a healthy practice," he noted, adding that similar trends have been observed in Maharashtra and other states.

BJP leads in 90 seats, JD(U) 80; RJD at 30, Congress 4

The BJP is now leading in 90 seats, and its NDA alliance partner JD(U) is leading in 80 seats. While the Opposition RJD and Congress are respectively leading in 30 and four seats.

NDA leads in 198 seats, Grand Alliance trails with 39

The NDA is now leading in 198 seats, and the Opposition Grand Alliance is still trailing with leads in only 39 seats.