After more than 14 hours of counting, dozens of twists and turns and allegations of cheating, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was announced as the winner of the Bihar Assembly election in the (very) early hours of Wednesday morning. Boosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's several rallies, the NDA hit the majority mark of 122 at 2.57 AM. According to data on the Election Commission's website, the BJP won 72 seats to emerge as the senior member in its alliance with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JDU, which managed just 42.
The BJP had claimed victory in Bihar assembly polls for the National Democratic Alliance even as the counting for 50 seats were still underway.
"Every section of Bihar has rejected hollow promises, casteism and politics of appeasement, and has backed the NDA's development agenda," Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted late Tuesday night.
Minutes after Mr Shah's tweet, PM Modi tweeted, saying the people of Bihar have made a "decisive decision" to give development a chance.
The Election Commission held four press briefings since morning the counting of votes took place amid unprecedented times; India is the second worst-affected country by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The state elections in Bihar are the biggest in the country since the start of the pandemic.
It was a high-stake battle for the BJP-JDU combine as well as for Tejashwi Yadav's Grand Alliance as he made a desperate attempt for the RJD's return to power. Of 243 seats, the JDU contested 122 seats, while the BJP contested 121 seats. Targeted by opposition, he faced a major anti-incumbency wave.
Earlier in the day, as the NDA surged ahead, the Grand Alliance, refused to concede. While the Congress said they would wait till the last vote is counted, the RJD has made an appeal to its supporters to stay at counting centres till midnight.
Nitish Kumar's ex-ally Chirag Paswan, who chose to go solo this time, is another young leader on the frontline in the state apart from Tejashwi Yadav, ex-chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's son. The JDU today said the ruling party has been "hurt" by Chirag Paswan's stinging comments amid the campaign heat after he parted ways. However the LJP's performance has not been impressive as many observers called it a "vote cutter" for Nitish Kumar.
Over the last few weeks, a fierce campaign saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi - the NDA'S de-facto face- seeking votes for Nitish Kumar. The BJP-JDU combine has been targeted by opposition over issues such as unemployment and the handling of the pandemic.
Tejashwi Yadav had made a big poll promise of 10 lakh jobs. While the BJP attacked Tejashwi Yadav over the issue, the party's manifesto also made a mention of 19 lakh jobs, apart from "free Covid vaccine" - which gave more ammunition to the opposition. Many opposition leaders alleged that the ruling party is using pandemic to get votes.
Nitish Kumar, who has faced jibes, slogan-shouting crowds and on one occasion, an onion attack, has said this will be his last election. "This election will end and this is my last election. Ant bhala to sab bhala (All's well that ends well)," he said while campaigning in Bihar's Purnea.
Here are Bihar Election Result 2020 Counting and Updates:
After more than 14 hours of counting, dozens of twists and turns and allegations of cheating, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was announced as the winner of the Bihar Assembly election in the (very) early hours of Wednesday morning.
- 223 constituencies declared. 20 left. 17 cases where rounds of EVM counts are on.
- We have been sharing updates from time to time and giving you context under which counting is taking place.
- Teams trying to finish up counting as soon as possible. Their efforts on the ground are laudable.
- We thank everyone for their support and the media who covered the election results.
- We will have a final tally in an hour or so.
- Apart from 2 seats in Madhya Pradesh, all bypolls results are out.
RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav reaches former Chief Minister Rabri Devi's residence in Patna. Tej Pratap Yadav has won the Hasanpur Assembly seat. (ANI)
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
##ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/AftuAcOiUe
Watch | "Development is possible with central government under PM Modi and Bihar under Nitish Kumar": Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Read here https://t.co/W8LmAVRFDn#ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElecctionResults pic.twitter.com/SRo2YmDv3j
Watch | BJP Claims Victory In Bihar Before Results Out, Says Win For Development
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Read here https://t.co/W8LmAVRFDn#ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/IMYWArcuG0
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the people of Bihar have made a "decisive decision" to give development a chance, as results of the assembly election continue to trickle in, showing the ruling NDA leading in 122 seats and the opposition alliance in 113 seats.
"Youth of Bihar have made it clear that new decade will be of Bihar and for self-reliant Bihar: PM Narendra Modi on assembly poll results," tweeted PM Modi on Bihar assembly poll results.
"Bihar has taught the world the first lesson of democracy. A record number of poor, deprived and women of Bihar also voted and have also given their verdict for development," tweeted PM Modi as trends showed NDA leading in Bihar.
Watch | "Till the last round (of counting) it matters": Ravindra Kishore Sinha, BJP Leader#ResultsWIthNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Oq0FjhuHmA
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
The NDA alliance is set to form the government in Bihar as it has won 121 seats and was leading with comfortable margin on four other seats, BJP''s Bihar unit president Sanjay Jaiswal said on Tuesday while attributing the alliance's victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Asked whether there would be any change in the chief minister as BJP has won more seats than its ally JD(U), Mr Jaiswal said both parties fought together and Nitish Kumar was announced as its chief ministerial candidate before the elections.
#NDTVExclusive | "Big parties treated me like untouchable": Asaduddin Owaisi, who has 5 seats tells NDTV.#ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/NVDsALIoFO
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
The AIMIM will decide later which party it will support, Mr Owaisi told NDTV.
"We trust Election Commission but not district administration," says RJD's Manoj Jha after meeting election officials over vote suppression allegations #ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
"The Election Commission is not under anyone's pressure. The time taken for the declaration of results is natural under these circumstances. Most of the seats' results have been declared," said Chandra Bhushan Singh, Deputy Election Commissioner.
Patna: RJD and Congress delegation arrive at the Election Commission office to raise the issue of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly influencing counting of votes. pic.twitter.com/t8wt56YrvO
- ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2020
#WATCH: Celebrations outside Asaduddin Owaisi's residence in Hyderabad, Telangana; his party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has won one seat in #Bihar and is leading on four seats, as per latest Election Commission of India trends. pic.twitter.com/QAaEuaNm8H
- ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2020
"Nitish Kumar has been the captain in Bihar through the 15 years in which he worked tirelessly to develop the state. Getting lesser seats sometimes does not mean that you are not the captain. The NDA in Bihar has been guided by Nitish Kumar ji," said JD(U) leader Satya Prakash to NDTV.
The strategy adopted by LJP leader Chirag Paswan to contest outside NDA and target Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the campaign does not appear to have worked in the Bihar assembly polls and the party is likely to draw a blank.
With 82 per cent of the votes already counted, LJP is not in lead on any seat though it had shown some promise in the initial rounds of counting.
The party had contested 137 of 243 seats and fielded candidates against JD(U) but not BJP.
The Election Commission has declared results for 103 of 243 seats. It's a close fight between the BJP - which has won 32 seats - and the RJD, which has won 29 seats.
Ex-chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has won from Imamganj.
Nitish Kumar must thank the Shiv Sena if he retains the post of Bihar Chief Minister despite his JDU winning fewer seats than the BJP, Sanjay Raut said Tuesday evening in a swipe at his party's former ally" itemprop="description
Election results for 77 seats have been called, according to the latest figures. The BJP has won 23 seats so far, while the RJD has won 21 seats. Nitish Kumar's JDU has won 13 seats so far.
RJD continues to be the single-largest party with lead in 60 seats followed by the BJP, which is leading in 56 seats. The two rivals have won 16 seats each so far.
How 2020 scenario is different from 2015 in Bihar#ResultsWithNDTV @BiharElectionResults
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Watch live https://t.co/gqLXji1xHa pic.twitter.com/0aaTGCnBIW
"The Nitish Kumar administration is delaying counting in 10 seats. The candidates who have won are not been given certificates. Sitting in the Chief Minister's house, Sushil Kumar is making the Chief Secretary exert a pressure on officials concerned over seats that have a close margin," the RJD said in a tweet in Hindi.
"The trends so far are in favour of the NDA. I think we did not pay attention to the Bihar election. We (NCP) did not contest because we felt that young leadership in the form of Tejashwi Yadav should come forward," seasoned politician and NCP chief Sharad Pawar said this evening, news agency PTI reported. "Tejashwi has put up a gritty fight," he stressed.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appeared headed for a win in Bihar today as votes were counted in the first major election held in the shadow of the coronavirus. The NDA, defying multiple exit polls, sailed past the majority mark and the BJP was even the largest party at one point in a state where it has always been junior partner. However, the opposition alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav put up a strong fight, emerging as the largest party after 10 hours of counting. The unexpected surge for the NDA, despite Nitish Kumar facing anti-incumbency after three straight terms, has been attributed by the BJP to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign." itemprop="description
The Election Commission has declared results for 20 seats - rivals RJD and BJP have won six seats each. Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Communist Party of India (Marxist) have won 1 seat each. Indian National Congress, Janata Dal (United) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party have won two seats each.
The Congress has accused Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM of undermining its vote base in Bihar's crucial Seemanchal region to help the BJP, which is set to emerge as the single-largest party in the state."
- Results are expected late at night
- Counting is nearly over in 119 seats
- In 18 constituencies, margin is less than 1,000
- Election Commission trying to give results as soon as possible
- Election Commission told counting officers not to be in a hurry and take time
- Counting is smooth, officials working patiently
"In several constituencies, the number of counting rounds may go up to 51," Umesh Singh, Secretary General, Election Commission, said this evening, adding that "all Covid norms" are being followed amid counting of votes.
As votes are counted, trends seem to be flipping again with the RJD emerging as the single-largest party with lead in 73 seats. The BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party during the day amid counting of votes, is leading in 67 seats.
Bihar Election Result 2020: Amit Shah speaks to Nitish Kumar on phone, say sources as NDA maintains lead while votes are counted.
While the BJP is leading in 73 seats, the RJD is leading in 67 seats.
The vote share of two rivals - Grand Alliance and the NDA - has a difference of just two percent, according to figures available.While the Grand Alliance has got a vote share of 36.8 per cent, the NDA has a vote share of 38.8 per cent.
Bihar held the country's biggest elections since the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Strict measures were put in place - to check the spread of coronavirus- as more than four crore people stepped out to vote. The state has logged over 2.22 lakh cases so far, and the coronavirus has also slowed down the pace of counting. In an unusual presser, the Election Commission this afternoon announced the counting process will continue till late night. Another press conference will be held at 6 PM.
- Communist Party of India - 3
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) - 3
- Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation)- 12
- Indian National Congress - 18
- Rashtriya Janata Dal - 66
The JDU, which is leading in 43 seats, has won one seat so far.
In a sea change in politics, the BJP has emerged as the single-largest party. It's leading in 77 seats. The JDU is leading in 43 seats.
Subhashini Yadav, a Congress debutant in the Bihar election and seasoned politician Sharad Yadav's daughter, is trailing in her constituency - Bihariganj.
"We are in touch with all the candidates and partyworkers... as per the details we have received, trends are favouring us. The counting will continue late night. The Grand Alliance will surely win. Bihar has opted for change. All candidates and counting agents are requested to stay at counting centres till the process is complete," the RJD said in a tweet in Hindi even as the NDA leads in 129 seats.
Dalit stalwart Jitan Ram Manjhi, one of the key candidates to watch out for, is leading in Imamganj. The Dalit leader switched from Tejashwi Yadav-led grand-alliance to the National Democratic Alliance - hoping to share power should the Nitish Kumar-led group win another term in Bihar
Chirag Paswan has played a very wicked game in Bihar, managing to relegate Nitish Kumar and his party to third place in the northern state.
The Congress today looked like the weak link as the Tejashwi Yadav-led Mahagathbandhan seemed set for second place in the Bihar election despite exit polls predicting an opposition victory." itemprop="description
Watch | Poll body explains the changes made in counting halls amid COVID-19, to follow the guidelines. "Hope to finish counting by tonight": Election Commission #ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/3nimquoXts
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
"It has been clarified time and again that EVMs are robust and tamperproof. The integrity of EVMs is without any doubt and merits no further clarification," Chandrabhushan Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner said this afternoon.
Luv Sinha, a Congress candidate in the Bihar assembly election and the son of actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, is trailing in his constituency as votes were counted in the state today."
As leads from the counting of votes Bihar showed the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead and widening the gap with the opposition, the BJP held off on the victory celebrations that usually start when it crosses the majority mark in leads, or when it is at least in striking distance of power." itemprop="description
On social media, BJP leaders have already started rejoicing the NDA's lead in Bihar. Many of them hit out at the Grand Alliance, which is trailing behind the BJP.
CONgress, with a leader who's political ideology is that of Shameless Lies&Deceit, will probably not even reach 25!! @BJP4India @AmitShah @JPNadda @KailashOnline https://t.co/KHTgGZHAxd
- Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) November 10, 2020
To all those critics please note the most popular choice is @narendramodi ji #ModiHaiToMumkinHai as #NDA overtakes the #Mahagathbadhan, and now records lead on more seats, victory imminent. on @DDNational @DDNewsHindi @DDNewslive #BiharElectionResults #BiharElection2020 pic.twitter.com/gWZGGGa9qe
- Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) November 10, 2020
With Covid restrictions in place and number of voters limited to 1,000 per booth, 63 per cent more EVMs were used this time.
Watch | Only 11-12% votes counted till 11:30 am, Election Commission sources say. Official briefing at 1:30 pm. @arvindgunasekar reports #ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElectionResults pic.twitter.com/qVS4kOiUwf
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
NDA is ahead in 128 seats, according to current leads. The Grand Alliance is leading in 103 seats.
It seems the RJD is on a wait-and-watch mode. No senior leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav or Tej Pratap Yadav, could be seen outside the party office this afternoon.
#ResultsWithNDTV | How Bihar voted: Region-wise breakup (as of 12:08 pm)https://t.co/Ot5PhTgBqa
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Stay with NDTV to decode #BiharElection2020 numbers pic.twitter.com/JJmqjeRCb1
#BiharElectionResults | Janata Dal United supporters and workers celebrate at party office in Patna as trends show NDA leading
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
(Images: ANI)#ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/EKZtlw33zE
#ResultsWithNDTV | "NDA will get a comfortable majority": Kailash Vijayvargiya, National General Secretary, BJP #BiharElectionResults2020 pic.twitter.com/o6WgxsGThM
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Bihar Elections 2020 | Narrow Margins
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
▶️Number of seats with a difference of <500 votes rises to 25
▶️Number of seats with a difference of 500-1000 votes is now 29
Track every vote being counted, here: https://t.co/PKJwF5N8Wj#ResultsWithNDTV #BiharElection2020 pic.twitter.com/seTCUAufC2
On Chirag Paswan, BJP spokesperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam told NDTV: "With regard to Chirag Paswan, he's still very young, he will make mistakes. He probably will grow in the future. And the same thing could be said about Lalu Yadav's son"
#ResultsWithNDTV | Election trends at 11:24 am. https://t.co/QZmvOuUEi4 pic.twitter.com/NpuUQlqXqJ
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
#ResultsWithNDTV | "Don't think Nitish Kumar is going to retire mentally": Shekhar Gupta, Founder, The Print #BiharElections2020 pic.twitter.com/OqYP8ok63N
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Even as early leads suggested an advantage for Tejashwi Yadav-led Grand Alliance, the NDA has crossed the majority mark, according to early projections, with lead in 125 seats- the majority mark is 122.
Amid counting, KC Tyagi, a spokesperson of the Janata Dal United or JDU, appeared to concede defeat just a little before 10 am in Patna." "Brand Nitish" is intact, Mr Tyagi claimed as he apportioned a part of the blame on Chirag Paswan, the 34-year-old politician who, like Nitish Kumar, is an ally of the BJP but fiercely attacked Mr Kumar throughout his campaign, declaring him outdated and a liability, and announcing that it would be his party and the BJP who would form the government in Bihar. "Chirag Paswan should have been denounced and controlled from the start," Mr Tyagi said, making it clear that as a partner, the BJP has coloured outside the lines by refusing to rein in Mr Paswan who appears to have succeeded in eating into Mr Kumar's votes.
#ResultsWithNDTV | "Return of Nitish Kumar highly unlikely at the moment": Sagarika Ghose, Senior Journalist #BiharElections2020 pic.twitter.com/eW5w4WqaqK
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the opposition, and his brother Tej Pratap Yadav are among the heavyweights contesting the election. Other prominent candidates are Nand Kishore Yadav (Patna Sahib), Pramod Kumar (Motihari), Rana Randhir (Madhuban), Suresh Sharma (Muzaffarpur), Shrawan Kumar (Nalanda), Jai Kumar Singh (Dinara) and Krishnanandan Prasad Verma (Jehanabad).
#ResultsWithNDTV | "RJD has one of the largest networks in Bihar": Dr Nawal Kishore, Spokesperson, RJD #BiharElectionResults2020 pic.twitter.com/DySZfCZ6Rd
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
A tight race has unfolded in Bihar. Grand Alliance and NDA are locked in a close fight with each party leading in over 110 seats. 122 is the magic number.
In conversation with NDTV, Nitish Kumar's party spokesperson KC Tyagi told NDTV:
In early Bihar leads, the BJP appeared to zoom ahead of partner Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister who is the face of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in this election. The leads indicated that Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United was dragging down the NDA's numbers."
#ResultsWithNDTV | "BJP's biggest problem is the lack of a young dynamic face": Desh Ratan Nigam, Political Analyst #BiharElectionResults2020 pic.twitter.com/thEKootUNW
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Last month, a memorial for Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan brought together three bitter rivals in the middle of an acrimonious campaign for the Bihar election. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sat with his biggest critics, Chirag Paswan and Tejashwi Yadav, delivering a rare image for the cameras in poll season.
- Counting started at 8 am at 55 centres spread across 38 districts amid tight security and precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic during the process
- Over 57 per cent of about 7.30 crore electors voted in what is the first major election in the country since the onset of the pandemic
- A total of 3,733 candidates contested the state election, including 371 women and a transgender
- Prohibitory orders are in place outside the counting centres to prevent people from gathering in large numbers
#BiharElection2020 The counting of votes for Bihar Assembly elections is underway at counting centre established at Anugrah Narayan College in Patna pic.twitter.com/nPfjLuzxxx
- ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2020
The counting of votes polled in the Bihar assembly elections will be held today, with most pollsters predicting a landslide for the five-party Grand Alliance led by the young RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav.
#BiharElectionResults2020 | Fish is considered good luck says RJD supporter as counting of votes begins in Bihar #ResultsWithNDTV
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Track live coverage on NDTV 24x7 and https://t.co/LpfcFgEPtg pic.twitter.com/B6K3aDTVq3
Tejashwi Yadav-led Grand Alliance of the opposition has gained a lead in 63 seats over NDA, which is leading in 50 seats. Nitish Kumar is facing anti-incumbency, according to analysts, after ruling the state for over a decade. The NDA, however, has claimed the state has developed under its rule. PM Modi, during campaigning, said the state will develop at a faster pace, if the alliance is voted to power again.
The counting of votes for #BiharElections2020 is underway at Anugrah Narayan College counting centre in Patna
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
(Images: ANI)#ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/DWWGMhawm0
The halfway mark to form a government in Bihar is 122. The state assembly has 243 seats.
Bihar has 243 seats. Grand Alliance is leading in 35 seats, NDA is leading in 33 seats.
First leads are in and the RJD and the NDA are leading in two seats each.
Counting of votes has started for 243-member Bihar Assembly and by-polls to 58 Assembly seats across 11 states.
Last week, LJP's Chirag Paswan expressed his resentment against rival Nitish Kumar as he said:"You can get me to give you in writing that Nitish Kumar will never again be the Chief Minister after November 10. I will have no role to play, I want 'Bihar first, Bihari first'. I want work to be done as per the vision document prepared by the suggestions of four lakh Biharis." His remarks came soon after he voted.
Tejashwi Yadav's RJD warned its workers and supporters to maintain discipline on the counting day, whatever the outcome of the election. "On November 10, counting of votes will take place. Whatever be the result, we have to behave well, maintain peace. No worker should use colours, firecrackers etc. There should not be any indiscipline in the excitement of a victory," read a rough translation of the party's tweet in Hindi. Read here.
#BiharElectionResults2020 | Will Nitish Kumar get another term? Counting of votes begins at 8 am. NDTV's @alok_pandey brings in the latest
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
Read here: https://t.co/W8LmAVA4eN#ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/O2dl12GiPT
Counting of votes for #BiharAssemblyPolls to take place today. Visuals from a counting centre in Patna
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 10, 2020
(Images: ANI) #BiharElectionResults2020 #ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/Uku2Gr48Uh
The counting of votes for the recently-concluded Bihar Assembly Election 2020 will begin at 8 am today. Bihar is the first state in the country to go to polls amid the raging coronavirus pandemic."
- The counting of votes will begin at 8am
- Over 3,700 candidates contested in the three-phased elections
- The poll panel said it has set up a total of 55 counting centres, housing 414 halls, spread across all the 38 districts of the state
- Steps have been taken to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines are strictly followed during the counting.
The verdict of Bihar on who would rule it for the next five years will become clear as counting of votes begin later this morning. The choice is between a fourth term for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a first one for his former deputy, 31-year-old Tejashwi Yadav, candidate of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress and the Left alliance. Most exit polls have predicted a majority for the latter. Exit polls often get it wrong. The election took place amid a bitter campaign that saw the Chief Minister battling anti-incumbency, a rebellion by Lok Janshakti Party's Chirag Paswan against his leadership - seen by many as being backed by the BJP - and Prime Minister Narendra Modi replacing Mr Kumar as the de facto face of the NDA in the state." itemprop="description