NEW DELHI: Posters featuring Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar — with the caption “Tiger abhi zinda hai” — appeared outside the party office on Thursday, a day before the assembly election results.Former Bihar minister and JD(U) leader Ranjit Sinha put out a poster that read, “Protector of Dalits, Mahadalits, backward classes, upper castes, and minorities — Tiger abhi zinda hai (the tiger is still alive).”
This comes after speculations over Nitish’s health became a key issue in the election campaign. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had questioned the chief minister’s health and fitness to continue leading the state. Earlier, a majority of exit polls predicted a sweeping return for chief minister Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with the opposition Mahagathbandhan projected to fall short of the majority mark in the Bihar elections.A poll of polls on Tuesday indicated a likely return of the NDA to power, with the alliance expected to secure around 148 seats. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, despite campaigning as the agent of change, is projected to fall short, with estimates placing it at around 88 seats. Others are expected to win seven seats, according to the poll of polls.The first phase of polling recorded a 65.08 per cent turnout. All major political blocs have claimed that the high participation reflects support in their favour.The second phase saw an even higher turnout of 68.76 per cent, compared to first phase of polling held on November 6.The main contest in the 2025 Bihar assembly election is between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan.In the 2020 Bihar assembly election, polling was held in three phases. The NDA won 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured 110. Among major parties, the JD(U) won 43 seats and the BJP 74, while the RJD secured 75 seats and the Congress 19.
