Exit Polls Predict Decisive NDA Win in Bihar; Jan Suraaj Fails to Make Mark in Debut
NEW DELHI: Exit polls on Tuesday projected a strong comeback for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, indicating a comfortable victory over the Mahagathbandhan, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is expected to deliver a lacklustre debut performance.
The Bihar Assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results scheduled for November 14.
According to the Matrize Exit Poll, the NDA is likely to secure between 147–167 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan may win 70–90 seats, and Jan Suraaj 0–2 seats. The Dainik Bhaskar poll similarly predicted 145–160 seats for the NDA and 73–91 for the opposition alliance.
People’s Insight forecast 133–148 seats for the NDA, 87–102 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 0–2 for Jan Suraaj. People’s Pulse projected 133–159 seats for the NDA, 75–101 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 0–5 for Kishor’s party.
The JVC survey gave the NDA 135–150 seats and the Mahagathbandhan 88–103, while Polstrat predicted 133–148 for the NDA and 87–102 for the opposition bloc.
According to Chanakya Strategies, the NDA may win 130–138 seats, the Mahagathbandhan 100–108, and Jan Suraaj none. Pollster P-Marq projected 142–162 seats for the NDA, 80–98 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 1–4 for Jan Suraaj.
Two key exit polls — Axis My India and Today’s Chanakya — are set to release their projections on Wednesday.
The majority mark in the 243-member Bihar Assembly stands at 122.
Exit polls are based on voter interviews conducted immediately after polling and may differ from the actual election results.
The NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP (Ram Vilas), is seeking to retain power in the state, while the opposition INDIA bloc — led by the RJD, Congress, and Left parties — is eyeing a return to power with Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face.
Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14%, provisionally, by the close of polling on Tuesday — a figure seen as reflective of high public engagement in an election widely viewed as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s long tenure.
