Patna: Bihar BJP chief backs Nitish Kumar as CM as NDA surges ahead in early trends
Patna: Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal on Friday put an end to speculation over a possible change in leadership, confirming that Nitish Kumar will lead the NDA government if the alliance secures a majority.
His statement came as early trends in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election showed the NDA crossing the 150-seat mark, strengthening the possibility of the coalition returning to power.
Speaking to reporters, Jaiswal said the NDA had fought the election with the clear slogan Abki Baar Nitish Sarkar, and that position remains unchanged as results unfold. He added that since Nitish Kumar had led the campaign, he would naturally continue as the alliance’s chief ministerial choice.
The clarification appears to settle days of political chatter about whether the BJP might push for a new face for the top post, as the counting heads into crucial rounds.
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Jharkhand civic polls: 12 pc voter turnout recorded in 48 ULBs till 9 am
Ranchi (PTI): Around 12 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in the civic polls to 48 urban local bodies in Jharkhand on Monday, an election official said.
Voting, which commenced at 7 am, is underway amid tight security. It will continue till 5 pm, he said.
"Voter turnout of 12 per cent was recorded till 9 am. Polling is underway peacefully," State Election Commission (SEC) secretary Radhe Shyam Prasad said.
Over 43 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 6,000-plus candidates.
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State Election Commissioner (SEC) Alka Tiwari exercised her franchise at ward number 40 in Ranchi.
"Polling is underway peacefully across the state and reports are so far good from every ULB. I would like to appeal to the voters to exercise their franchise," Tiwari told reporters.
Prasad said the elections are underway for the posts of mayor and chairperson in 48 ULBs, and councillors in 1,042 wards across nine municipal corporations, 20 nagar parishads and 19 nagar panchayats.
As many as 562 candidates, including 235 women, are in the fray for the posts of mayor and chairperson, while 5,562 candidates, including 2,727 women, are contesting the posts of ward councillors.
Prasad said adequate security arrangements have been made in all the booths.
A total of 4,307 polling booths have been set up for the elections. Of these, 896 have been identified as hyper-sensitive and 2,445 as sensitive.
