RJD MP Manoj Jha cautioned against premature celebrations by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regarding their projected success in the 2025 Bihar elections. He noted that early trends suggesting a significant NDA victory could change, as these trends are still in their initial stages. “Such trends change,” Jha stated, signaling his hope for a different outcome, particularly in light of the narrow margins observed in several constituencies.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA appeared to be on track for a landslide victory, leading in more than 180 of the 243 assembly seats in Bihar. Early indicators suggested that the BJP was poised to achieve its largest tally to date.
Jha referred to the early trends as “low-hanging fruit,” emphasizing that the celebrations within the NDA are largely psychological. “In more than 65-70 seats, the margin is less than 3,000-5,000 votes. We believe the situation can change in those seats,” he expressed. He remarked on the slow pace of the vote count, reiterating that the current trends are merely preliminary.
In contrast, Akhilesh Yadav, Chief of the Samajwadi Party, criticized the trends reflected in the results, attributing the anticipated poor performance of the Mahagathbandhan to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. He described the BJP as “deceit” and claimed that the tactics used in Bihar would not be feasible in other states where the party has been exposed. Yadav announced that his party would remain vigilant against BJP maneuvering going forward.
In a different perspective, Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accepted the early trends as a mandate from the electorate. “We will accept whatever mandate the people have given,” he said, indicating the need for a strategic reevaluation moving forward.
Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh acknowledged the party’s shortcomings in the elections and congratulated Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the NDA on their projected success. He pointed out the need for internal discussions regarding the performance of individual candidates.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot raised concerns about the integrity of democracy, likening the current situation in Bihar to events in Maharashtra and Haryana. He accused the Election Commission of bias in favor of the NDA and criticized the use of money power in elections. “During the elections, ₹10,000 were deposited into the accounts of 1 crore 35 lakh women. What has happened to the Election Commission?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the NDA’s significant lead but urged patience as the Election Commission prepares to disclose official results. He noted the Congress party’s responsibility to analyze its performance further while also emphasizing that the RJD needs to reflect on its results as a junior partner in the alliance.
