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Patna : NDA defied anti-incumbency factor to win 125 out of 243 seats in Bihar Assembly polls on November 10,2020, late night, to retain power in a photo finish to the polls. The Mahagathbandhan, whom majority of Exit Polls had projected to get majority in the polls, had to remain content with 110 seats thanks to the left parties : CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, and CPM, which won 16 of the 29 seats allotted to them. The NDA could get majority only due to NaMo Magic, which was also evident in assembly by-polls in many states including MP, Gujarat, UP, Karnataka, and Manipur.
The RJD emerged as the single largest party in the assembly winning 75 seats closely followed by BJP with 74 seats. The JD(U), which had contested 115 seats, could win only 43 seats in a nail biting finish to the polls. The JD(U) had won 71 seats in 2015 Assembly Polls, which it had contested in alliance with RJD and Congress.
Congress, which had contested 70 seats, has won only 19 seats. The JD (U) lost many seats due to the LJP, which had contested 137 seats. The LJP, which is still with the NDA at the centre, had fielded its candidates against the JD(U) only not against the BJP. Although the LJP could win only one seat, it ensured defeat of many JD(U) nominees in the polls.
A section of the BJP is demanding that Nitish should hand over the post of Chief Minister to the BJP on moral ground as his party has not done well in the polls even as the BJP leadership had categorically stated during electioneering that he would remain the Chief Minister of Bihar if the NDA is voted to power even if his party gets less seats than the BJP.
Even otherwise, the demand for Nitish’s removal does not carry sense as he is leader with proven administrative skill and commands respects from NDA legislators. Nitish, however, needs to look into the complaints that he is no longer as accessible as he used to be in the past. Nitish is a soft spoken, suave, and gentle politician, and can hardly be called arrogant, as his critics often say. A captain is never changed on the basis of his individual performance.
Women and the extremely backward classes voters have played a major role in NDA’s victory in the polls thanks to the welfare and development works done by the Double Engine Government including formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) for women. But, the NDA must work to regain its lost ground in Magadh and Shahabad regions although it has done very well in Mithilanchal and even Seemanchal regions.
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen has gained big way in the polls winning 5 seats in Seemanchal region while BSP has won 1 seat. The RLSP drew a blank.
RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav has emerged as a tall leader in the state. He took on the might of PM Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, and CM NItish Kumar despite being comparatively inexperienced in poll arena yet proved his mettle. But, he should also thank LJP Chief Chirag Paswan, MP, for this as he ensured defeat f many JD(U) nominees.