“The electoral politics of the NDA is based on good governance, which is in contrast to the ‘jungle raj’ image of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Congress regime,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. File | Photo credit: PTI
Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday (7 November 2025) that the high percentage of polling booths in the first phase of the Bihar elections indicated a “vote for the incumbent”. He rejected the opposition’s claim that it was a “warning bell” for the ruling NDA in the state.
On Thursday (November 6), 121 constituencies participated in the first phase, recording a 64.66% turnout, the highest in the state’s history.
Also read | Bihar Assembly Election Update 7 November 2025
“It (voter turnout) is fantastic. It indicates voting for incumbents. There have been many instances in the recent past where people have come out in large numbers to vote for an incumbent president. The same is happening in Bihar where people’s confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains rock solid and as high as in the Himalayas, the people of the Himalayas clearly voted and voted for the media and women to vote. development and security,” said Mr. Pradhan.
The minister said that “it is clear which way the wind is blowing”.
“NDA’s electoral policy is based on good governance, which is in contrast to the ‘jungle raj’ image of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress regime,” he said.
Mr Pradhan agreed with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s estimate that the NDA could win “more than 160 seats” in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
Asked if Mr Kumar would become the chief minister again, he said, “We have repeatedly said that the post of chief minister is not vacant in the NDA. The post has been held by the same person for the last 20 years. Yes, this problem can arise in an opposition where several members of the same family are contesting for the post.”
Targeting RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate in the INDIA bloc, Mr Pradhan said it was his misconception that he had taken the “surge turnout” as a sign of victory for the RJD-led alliance. He said: “In a democracy, people have the right to dream. The results will reveal everything in a few days.”
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s accusation of “stealing votes”, the minister said it reflected the “mental bankruptcy of the Leader of the Opposition”.
Published – 07 Nov 2025 22:01 IST
