Photo/Agencies NEW DELHI: NDA is banking on its reinforced alliance and the appeal of its welfare measures in regions going to polls in Bihar on Thursday to turn the tide in its favour in areas where the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) had edged past it in the last assembly election.In 2020, RJD-led opposition had won 61 of the 121 seats that go to polls in the first phase, against NDA’s 59, performing strongly in Shahabad region and key districts such as Patna, Bhojpur, Saran and Siwan.Back then, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha, who headed RLSP, had fought separately, helping MGB gain ground in several constituencies, including Begusarai and Buxar. With both Paswan and Kushwaha back in NDA, alliance netas now believe their social coalition has been significantly strengthened. They are also counting on the impact of the govt’s welfare initiatives – notably the Rs 10,000 cash transfer to over 1.3 crore women – to sway the voters.In 50 seats across Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Saran, Siwan and Begusarai, MGB had bagged 35 in 2020. CPI-ML Liberation, with its strong base among the poor across caste lines, had played a crucial role in MGB’s success.A BJP neta said the alliance expects a major recovery in these districts as well as in Magadh and Shahabad regions, where polling is scheduled in the second phase on Nov 11.Home minister Amit Shah’s claim that NDA’s tally will rise from 125 seats in 2020 to over 160 stems from confidence of improving its performance in regions that favoured MGB earlier, he added.In 2020, Paswan had walked out of NDA and had dented the alliance’s vote base, particularly in seats contested byJDU, while Kushwaha’s support was tepid. The return of both netas and the rise of deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary within BJP have boosted the morale of the Kushwaha community, the second-largest OBC bloc after Yadavs, comprising about 4.2% of Bihar’s population.In the first phase, JDU is contesting 57 seats, BJ and other allies six, while RJD is fighting more than 70, Congress 24 and CPI-ML 14, with VIP, CPI and CPM also in fray.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Warning To Trump & Racist MAGA Ahead Of 2026 Midterms’: Ex-Diplomat On Mamdani’s NYC Mayoral WinBangladesh Govt Halts Zakir Naik’s Entry, Says ‘Will Allow After Elections’Civic Woes, Star Candidate And High-Stakes Contest: Ground Report From Chapra Ahead Of Bihar PollsBihar Polls: RJD Gains Ground in Sitamarhi as Locals Voice Frustration Over Jobs and GovernanceMumbai Fraudster Claimed BARC Link, Tried Selling Lithium Reactor Blueprints To Iranian Firms‘BJP Abuses Nehru but US Mayor Quotes Him’: Priyanka Hits Back at NDA’s ‘Dynasty Politics’ ChargeJaishankar’s Canada Trip Likely To Spotlight Extremism, Security As India Seeks Post-Nijjar ClarityFirst Border Crossing Since Op Sindoor Turns Sour; Pak Blocks 14 Indian Pilgrims For Being ‘Hindu’India Will Not Compromise in FTA With New Zealand, Focus on Mutual Gains, Says Piyush Goyal”Kumari Selja herself had said…” BJP Lambasts Rahul Gandhi’s ‘H-files’ expose123 Photostories Bollywood actresses who bravely shared their emotional and complicated delivery journeysTraining hard but still can’t lose belly fat? These 4 mistakes could be holding you back, know how to fix them8 high-protein breakfast dishes for bachelorsRaha Kapoor birthday special: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s best social media moments with their baby girlNutritionist’s viral post reveals small food tweaks that make a big difference in uric acid controlWhich is the best time to take blood pressure medication and 3 mistakes that most people commitZohran Mamdani won New York but it was Rama Duwaji’s Palestine-inspired outfit that became the talking point5 rare orange snakes that are nature’s hidden gemsMalaika Arora’s morning routine includes these 4 natural drinks5 unique aquarium creatures that help keep the fish tank clean naturally123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJoel EmbiidNYC Mayor Election ResultZion WilliamsonWilliam NylanderKayla NicoleMiguel RojasChhattisgarh Train AccidentRoope HintzTyrese Haliburton InjuryBengaluru Scooter Accident
NEW DELHI: NDA is banking on its reinforced alliance and the appeal of its welfare measures in regions going to polls in Bihar on Thursday to turn the tide in its favour in areas where the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) had edged past it in the last assembly election.In 2020, RJD-led opposition had won 61 of the 121 seats that go to polls in the first phase, against NDA’s 59, performing strongly in Shahabad region and key districts such as Patna, Bhojpur, Saran and Siwan.Back then, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha, who headed RLSP, had fought separately, helping MGB gain ground in several constituencies, including Begusarai and Buxar. With both Paswan and Kushwaha back in NDA, alliance netas now believe their social coalition has been significantly strengthened. They are also counting on the impact of the govt’s welfare initiatives – notably the Rs 10,000 cash transfer to over 1.3 crore women – to sway the voters.In 50 seats across Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Saran, Siwan and Begusarai, MGB had bagged 35 in 2020. CPI-ML Liberation, with its strong base among the poor across caste lines, had played a crucial role in MGB’s success.A BJP neta said the alliance expects a major recovery in these districts as well as in Magadh and Shahabad regions, where polling is scheduled in the second phase on Nov 11.Home minister Amit Shah’s claim that NDA’s tally will rise from 125 seats in 2020 to over 160 stems from confidence of improving its performance in regions that favoured MGB earlier, he added.In 2020, Paswan had walked out of NDA and had dented the alliance’s vote base, particularly in seats contested byJDU, while Kushwaha’s support was tepid. The return of both netas and the rise of deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary within BJP have boosted the morale of the Kushwaha community, the second-largest OBC bloc after Yadavs, comprising about 4.2% of Bihar’s population.In the first phase, JDU is contesting 57 seats, BJ and other allies six, while RJD is fighting more than 70, Congress 24 and CPI-ML 14, with VIP, CPI and CPM also in fray.
