Exit Polls Predict NDA Win in Bihar, Nitish-Led Alliance Projected to Secure Majority Over Mahagathbandhan
The NDA-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to bag 133-160 seats, as per exit polls while the Opposition Mahagatbandhan could get around 73-102 seats. Jan Suraaj of Prashant Kishor might win 0-8 seats.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 11: Bihar voted in the second leg of its assembly elections on Tuesday, bringing to a close the high-high-stakes battle battle for control of the state. Voting was held in 122 constituencies and sealed the fate of 1,302 candidates, also including several ministers from the government headed by Nitish Kumar.
Voting Phases End
This phase included districts located along the Nepal border which include-West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. The 1st phase held on the 6 November witnessed voting in 121 constituencies from among 18 districts with a Voter turnout of 65.08%. The second and last phase of voting had recorded a voter turnout of 68.67 per cent.
Exit Poll Highlights
Tuesday’s exit-poll forecasts did predict a convincingly clear win for the NDA in Bihar, dimming hopes of Tejashwi-led opposition Mahagathbandhan in the state. The post-vote analysis has given a clear edge to the Nitish Kumar-led ruling camp even as he Tejashwi Yadav’s alliance is likely to just fall short of the magic number in hotly contested election.
Flop Show for Jan Suraaj Party?
The voters have provided bad news for the opposition camp out of post-poll surveys, however, and most of all to Prashant Kishor’s debut-making Jan Suraaj Party that was hoping to make its presence felt here.
Peoples Pulse has given 0-5 seats to Jan Suraaj Party and People's Insight confirmed it as 0-2 seats. The Matrize has projected 0-2 seats for the party, the JVC at most one seat and Dainik Bhaskar at most three.
Bihar’s Political Battle
Most of the pollsters have projected anything above 140 seats for the NDA, and all others seats beyond majority mark to Nitish Kumar-led bloc.
The Dainik Bhaskar gave 145-160 seats to the NDA, while Matrize Exit Poll predicted 147-167 and People's Insight forecast for 133-148. Others such as People's Pulse predicted 133-159 for NDA, JVC 135-150 and P-Marq 142-162.
Seat Arrangement by Parties
Out of 243, the NDA's seat-sharing arrangement is JD(U) and BJP are contesting on 101 seats each, LJP (RV) on 29, HAM(S) six and RLM two.
In the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan), the RJD is contesting from 143 seats, Congress 61, CPI nine and CPI(M) four candidates. The CPI(M-L)L has, for its part, announced 20 candidates while the VIP has entered the electoral fray in 15 segments.
What is an Exit Poll?
An exit poll is a post-election survey designed to study voter preferences and forecast the likely results of an election. These polls are conducted after voters leave the polling places and sample how the demographic voted — and why.
The results of the Bihar Assembly Election will be declared on November 14 for all 243 seats. The count will begin at 8 a.m. The Election Commission will announce seat-wise results through the day as when counting is done for a particular seat.
