'Litti chokha, jalebis': BJP gears up for Bihar election win
What's the story
As vote counting for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections began on Friday morning, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi started preparing for a victory celebration with traditional delicacies from Bihar. A local sweet maker told ANI, "We have made arrangements. Jalebi for dessert, sattu paratha and baingan chokha for the main course. Litti chokha can also be prepared."
Election confidence
NDA will do better than 2010 performance: Nitin Nabin
Early trends show the NDA leading in over 80 seats. Bihar minister Nitin Nabin expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory. He said they would do better than their 2010 performance, winning over 200 seats. "We are all confident...the NDA seat count will be close to the 2010 elections. NDA is going to form the government. We will get 200+ seats."
Election security
Counting of votes begins
Counting of votes across 243 assembly constituencies in Bihar started at 8:00am on Friday. Security was tightened at various counting centers, including Patna and several other places. The elections had set records with the highest voter turnout in both phases. The second phase saw a record voter turnout of 69.20%, the highest ever recorded in Bihar's history, according to the Election Commission.
Election alliances
Main contest between NDA, Mahagathbandhan
The main contest in the Bihar elections is between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan. The NDA comprises BJP, Janata Dal (United), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Meanwhile, Mahagathbandhan is led by Rashtriya Janata Dal and includes Congress party, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) CPI-ML, Communist Party of India CPI, Communist Party of India Marxist CPM, and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party VIP.