Agencies

Amid allegation of election fraud, BJP and its ally JD(U) yesterday declared their victory in Bihar state polls ahead of the final result.

The ruling NDA coalition appeared inching towards a simple majority in the 243-member Bihar assembly despite its rival opposition coalition giving it a run for its money. If the present results and trends available hold, the NDA will end up with 124 seats, just the half-way mark required to form the government, and the RJD-led mega coalition with 111.

However, there were 50 seats still undeclared when the ruling NDA coalition announced their victory.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his congratulatory tweet, said people of Bihar have given their “decisive decision for development”.

The opposition, led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, claimed it won 119 seats but the JDU-BJP government had put pressure on election officials to delay the results. The EC said delay in counting votes were due to coronavirus-related restrictions.

According to results published till 1:00am today, the Rashtriya Janata Dal won 55 seats and was leading in 22. The BJP won 48 seats and was leading in 24. The Janata Dal United won 32 seats and was leading in 11. The Congress won 14 seats and was leading in five and the CPI-ML won nine seats and was leading in three seats.

Despite difference of opinion, BJP leaders in the state indicated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will continue in his post if the NDA secures victory.

The election had taken place after a bitter campaign that saw Nitish Kumar battling anti-incumbency, a rebellion by Lok Janshakti Party’s Chirag Paswan against his leadership -- seen by many as being backed by BJP. Paswan’s rebellion, which has cut into Nitsh Kumar’s votes, has hugely benefitted the BJP.