NDA Surges Ahead in Bihar Elections: Will Nitish Kumar Retain CM Seat? | India News
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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has taken a significant lead in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, with the Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performing exceptionally well. As of 12 pm on Friday, the JD(U) was ahead in 76 seats, while the BJP led in 87, according to the Election Commission's trends. The NDA, comprising JD(U), BJP, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, was well above the majority mark of 122 seats. The alliance's strong performance has sparked speculation about whether JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar will retain his position as the state's chief minister, marking another term in his 20-year-old rule. Exit polls had also predicted a clear win for the BJP-JDU-led NDA, with most pollsters forecasting a range of 121-209 seats. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan was expected to follow the NDA at a distant second with a range of 32-118 seats. However, a surprising twist emerged when exit poll projections revealed that Nitish Kumar may not be the preferred chief minister candidate. According to surveys conducted by Peoples Pulse and Axis My India, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate, was the top choice among voters, with 34% and 32% preference rates respectively. Nitish Kumar trailed behind, with 22% and 30% popularity rates. The election results are yet to be officially declared, but the NDA's strong lead suggests a potential return to power in Bihar. As the state waits with bated breath, one question remains: will Nitish Kumar retain his position as the chief minister, or will Tejashwi Yadav take the reins?
