New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Tuesday exuded confidence about the NDA winning the Bihar Assembly polls with a "massive majority", while asserting that there was a "one-sided wave" among the electorate in favour of the state's incumbent alliance.
As the two-phase polling in Bihar concluded on Tuesday evening, Exit Polls predicted a big victory for the NDA, with the Mahagathbandhan a distant second. They also predicted a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj in its debut outing, forecasting a range of 0-5 seats for it in the 243-member Assembly.
"In this election, the voters of Bihar have demonstrated unprecedented enthusiasm. The proof of this is the historically recorded voter turnout (sic). This is also a testament to the unwavering faith of the people of Bihar in their democratic consciousness," said Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP's Bihar polls in-charge, in a post on X.
"The way mothers, sisters, youth, and all sections of society have participated in this election makes it clear that Bihar is once again going to choose the NDA for the continuity of development, good governance, stability, peace, and prosperity. Once again, thanks and congratulations to all," the Union minister added.
Asked to comment about the Exit Polls, BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told PTI Videos, "No matter what any poll says... The BJP-NDA is going to win the election with at least 160 seats. There was a one-sided wave (in favour of NDA)."
Women, who came out in large numbers, voted for the NDA, he claimed
"We are fully hopeful that the BJP-NDA will win the election with a massive majority and once again form a government," the former Union minister claimed.
Hussain said the BJP and NDA worked hard during the elections, while the RJD and the Congress kept fighting among themselves.
Asked about the Jan Suraaj party, the BJP leader said it was only visible on social media and not on the ground. "It will be a big thing if Jan Suraaj even opens its account (wins at least one seat in the election)," he added.
Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent, provisionally, at the close of polling in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly elections, seen as a referendum on the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
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Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
