Patna: The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appeared headed for a comfortable victory on Friday as early counting trends from the Bihar Assembly elections showed the coalition racing past the majority mark, buoyed by strong gains for both the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
By mid-day, trend trackers across major news networks placed the NDA tally upwards of 196 seats, setting the alliance firmly on course to form the next government if the numbers remain steady through later rounds. As per ECI, BJP is leading on 90, JDU on 79, LJPRV on 20 seats while RJD on 29, Congres (INC) on 5 seats.
Election analysts, however, urged caution, noting that several rounds of counting — including postal ballots and additional EVM tallies — were still underway, leaving room for possible fluctuations. Officials also reminded observers of the dramatic 2015 turnaround, when late swings upended early projections.
#WATCH | Delhi: Supporters of the BJP sing, dance and celebrate as NDA continues its comfortable lead in #BiharAssemblyElections.
NDA leading on 197 (BJP 89, JDU 79, LJP(RV) 21, HAMS 4, RLM 4). Counting of votes underway. pic.twitter.com/nT99EXw0Wd
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2025
The opposition Mahagathbandhan, where the Congress contested 61 seats, struggled to gain ground, leading only in a limited number of constituencies. Political watchers pointed to an apparent consolidation of NDA votes across regions, contrasted with uneven and scattered gains for the opposition.
As counting continued at centres across the state, the afternoon trendline delivered a clear message: the NDA was comfortably ahead, with Nitish Kumar once again emerging as the pivotal figure within the alliance.
In a dramatic personal setback for the opposition, Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, was trailing in Raghopur. His brother, Tej Pratap Yadav — contesting from Mahua under his own Janshakti Janta Dal banner — was also behind, underscoring the grand alliance’s deepening crisis.
With the Mahagathbandhan staring at a potential electoral collapse, the NDA’s strong early momentum signalled what could become a decisive mandate as the final numbers unfold.
