Bihar Records Highest-Ever Voter Turnout

In a historic first round of assembly elections, Bihar witnessed an unprecedented 64.66 percent voter turnout across 121 constituencies in 18 districts — the highest ever in the state’s electoral history.
This surpasses the previous record of 62.57 percent in 2000, sparking widespread speculation about a potential comeback for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress alliance, reminiscent of past high-turnout victories.

Political Stakes and Key Contenders

The high participation has set off a political storm, with 1,314 candidates in the fray, including major figures like Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial aspirant, and the NDA’s Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with several ministers.
As the next round of polling for 122 seats approaches, political parties are intensifying campaigns across Bihar.

Election Commission’s Enthusiasm Amid Controversy

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic voter turnout, though the process hasn’t been free from controversy.
Debates continue around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which opposition parties have condemned as flawed and biased. Despite these challenges, the high turnout signals a renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

History Suggests High Turnout Favors RJD

Historically, Bihar’s voter turnout exceeding 60 percent has often favored Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political lineage.

• 1990: With 62.04% turnout, Janata Dal under Lalu Yadav won 122 seats, riding on the Mandal wave.

• 1995: Another 61.79% turnout gave the Janata Dal 167 seats, consolidating Lalu’s power.

• 2000: RJD, led by Rabri Devi, benefited again with a 62.57% turnout, securing power even after the state’s bifurcation.

In contrast, lower turnouts in later years marked the rise of Nitish Kumar and the NDA’s dominance, with figures between 46% and 57% from 2005 to 2020.

The Return of RJD’s Golden Days?

This massive voter engagement has rejuvenated hopes in the RJD camp, with Tejashwi Yadav reportedly confident of turning the tide.
Many political observers see this as a potential return to the party’s “golden days,” which could challenge Nitish Kumar’s two-decade hold on Bihar’s politics.

However, as the state awaits counting on November 14, the final outcome remains uncertain. The mood on the ground, though, is clear — Bihar’s electorate wants change, accountability, and a government that addresses migration, employment, and governance issues.

The post History Repeats? Record Polling Boosts Tejashwi’s CM Dreams appeared first on Odisha Connect.

A Firm Message from the Home Minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has categorically stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) never announced any alternative chief ministerial candidate for Bihar, reaffirming that Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In an interview with Aaj Tak, Shah said, “Our government has been clear from day one — Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister. There has never been any other name discussed or declared.”

Dismisses Opposition Speculation

Amit Shah’s remarks come amid intense speculation and political whisper campaigns by the Mahagathbandhan, which has claimed that the BJP would “dump” Nitish Kumar after securing power in Bihar. The Home Minister brushed aside such rumours, saying, “The posts of Chief Minister and Prime Minister are not available for purchase. These are not things to be auctioned or negotiated.”

By reasserting his alliance’s commitment to Nitish Kumar, Shah sought to silence internal murmurs and opposition taunts that the BJP might spring a surprise post-election.

Confident of a Landslide Victory

During the interview, Shah exuded confidence about NDA’s prospects, claiming the alliance would secure over 160 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

He dismissed demands for a “formal declaration” of the chief ministerial candidate, saying the alliance’s position was already evident. “We have said it time and again — Nitish Kumar is our leader in Bihar. That should end all confusion,” Shah added.

Taking a Jibe at Nitish Kumar’s Critics

The Home Minister also took the opportunity to hit back at critics within and outside the alliance. Referring to JD(U)’s critics and opposition leaders, BJP spokesperson Pankaj Singh quipped, “What Nitish Kumar does in Bihar is the reverse of what Narendra Modi does in Delhi.”

At a recent rally, Shah took aim at both the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, saying, “Lalu-Rabri want their son as CM, and Sonia ji wants her son to be PM. Neither will happen. Modi ji is in Delhi, Nitish ji is in Patna — both will continue to serve the people.”

Opposition’s Counterattack

The Mahagathbandhan has made the BJP-JD(U) relationship its primary attack line. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while campaigning in Bihar, alleged that the BJP had made Nitish Kumar “a captive chief minister.”

“He is like a remote-controlled machine. The buttons are in the hands of Modi and Shah,” Rahul said, suggesting that Nitish had surrendered his independence to the BJP leadership.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, projected as the Mahagathbandhan’s CM face, accused the NDA of deceiving voters through “a facade of unity.”

Closing the Ranks Before Polling

As the campaign heads into its final stretch, Shah’s statements are seen as a strategic attempt to reunify the NDA base and quell any doubts about leadership clarity.

The BJP’s strong endorsement of Nitish Kumar also comes amid reports of internal dissatisfaction within sections of the JD(U), where some leaders privately felt overshadowed by the saffron party’s dominance.

By publicly reaffirming Kumar’s leadership, Amit Shah appears to be consolidating the alliance’s position against the RJD-Congress narrative of discord.

The Road Ahead

With the NDA projecting stability and the opposition pushing a “remote-control” charge, Bihar’s political battleground is heating up rapidly. As Amit Shah tries to tighten the alliance’s unity, the upcoming election is shaping into a contest between leadership clarity and opposition cynicism — with Nitish Kumar once again at the centre of Bihar’s political storm.

The post Amit Shah Puts Speculation to Rest: “Nitish Kumar Will Remain Chief Minister” appeared first on Odisha Connect.