The post Prashant Kishor Calls His Decision Not to Contest Bihar Polls a Mistake appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Speaking to media, Kishor said, his decision not to enter the electoral fray could be viewed as an error in judgment and that the party still has a long distance to cover before achieving meaningful results.
He expressed surprise at their low vote share and noted that the outcome was far below expectations.
The former election strategist affirmed that his mission would continue and that he was determined to fight until his party succeeds in Bihar. He said he would not step back until he achieved victory in the state even though he could not predict how long it might take.
A day earlier, Kishor claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United would have been reduced to around twenty five seats if the state government had not distributed financial benefits shortly before the polls.
According to him, over sixty thousand beneficiaries in each constituency received ten thousand rupees and nearly one and a half crore women were promised two lakh rupees under a self employment scheme.
He accused the NDA government of committing to spending forty thousand crore rupees of public funds and releasing a significant part of it right before the elections
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]]>The post BJP Emerges Victorious in Bihar Assembly Polls, NDA Surges Ahead appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>read also: Congress Claims Bihar Election Outcome Was Manipulated on a Massive Scale
Despite pre-election surveys and opinion polls that favored Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate from the Mahagathbandhan, the opposition alliance seemed to face a crushing defeat The Mahagathbandhan, comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, three Left parties, and smaller factions, was barely on track to reach 35 seats.
The BJP’s remarkable achievement of winning 35 seats and leading in an additional 55 of the 101 constituencies it contested further solidifies its status as the country’s top political force The party’s performance helps offset setbacks from the previous year’s Lok Sabha elections, where it had to rely on coalition partners to maintain power at the center.
The high turnout of female voters, who outnumbered male voters by almost 10 percentage points, was seen as a key factor favoring the BJP-led NDA Various studies suggested that women voters in Bihar tend to favor the NDA.
The NDA’s victory in Bihar follows its strong performances in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Haryana, reaffirming its dominance across the country.
Prime Minister Modi and his ministers’ strong support for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seemed to pay off for the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which is expected to improve drastically on its 2020 performance of only 43 seats JD-U has now secured 24 seats and was leading in 64 others, with a nearly 19 percent vote share.
The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, has also made gains, winning two seats and leading in 17 constituencies, despite having only 28 candidates in the race.
A simple majority in Bihar’s assembly requires 122 seats, and the NDA’s current tally places it well above this threshold.
Promises of “double-engine growth,” with the NDA in power at both the state and central levels, were popular among voters Issues like free electricity, increased social security pensions, and financial support to women appear to have resonated strongly with the electorate.
In contrast, the Opposition struggled to counter the BJP’s claims about the RJD, with its leader Tejashwi Yadav being criticized for allegedly continuing the legacy of “jungle raj”.
The election was held in two phases, and amid allegations of irregularities in the electoral roll revision, the outcome is seen as a potential precursor to the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.
Celebrations erupted in Patna, with BJP and JD-U workers marking their victories with drums, firecrackers, and slogans.
Among BJP’s prominent winners were Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur), and ministers Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), Sanjay Saraogi, and Raju Kumar Singh (Sahebganj) JD-U also had significant wins, including Minister Maheshwar Hazari (Kalyanpur) and former MLA Anant Kumar Singh (Mokama).
The RJD, despite being the largest opposition party, faced a poor showing with just six seats and 20 leads According to the Election Commission, Tejashwi Yadav, who was expected to perform well in his home constituency of Raghopur, faced an initial struggle but gained momentum later in the counting rounds.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwah’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha, both junior allies of the NDA, secured strong positions with five and four seats respectively.
The Congress, often criticized for being a weak link in the INDIA alliance, performed poorly, winning only one seat and leading in five others out of 61 contested.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, which contested 32 seats, was ahead in six constituencies, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party failed to secure any leads.
The BJP’s performance raises the possibility of internal demands for the party to consider a chief minister from its ranks, especially given its strong showing in this election and the JD-U’s underperformance.
Bihar remains one of the few states where the BJP has yet to independently form a government, but Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have consistently backed Nitish Kumar’s leadership, a strategy reflecting the BJP’s reliance on coalition partners for power.
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]]>The post Record Voter Turnout in Bihar as 65 Percent Electorate Votes in First Phase of Assembly Elections appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The contest marks the beginning of a closely followed political battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the opposition INDIA bloc. The NDA, which has governed Bihar for nearly two decades with brief breaks, is seeking to retain power on the back of its reputation for good governance and recent welfare initiatives. On the other hand, the RJD-led opposition is banking on anti-incumbency sentiments and the promise of employment for every household under its chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav.
The first phase assumes national importance as it not only determines local outcomes but also reflects the wider political sentiment ahead of the 2029 general elections. The polling followed the Election Commission’s controversial Special Intensive Revision of voter lists, which drew criticism from opposition parties alleging manipulation and irregularities.
The second and final phase of voting is scheduled for November 11, while results will be declared on November 14. Prominent leaders such as Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and several ministers are among the 1,314 candidates contesting in this phase.
Isolated incidents of violence were reported, including an alleged attack on Sinha’s vehicle, though overall voting remained peaceful. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the strong participation of women voters as a sign of support for the NDA, stating that women have suffered most during previous regimes and now stand as protectors against a return to misrule.
The NDA hopes that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s record and welfare measures—such as 125 units of free electricity, financial aid to over one crore women, and enhanced pensions—will help counter anti-incumbency. The opposition, however, insists that Bihar needs change after two decades of NDA governance. RJD chief Lalu Prasad likened the situation to a roti that burns if not flipped, suggesting that the state needs new leadership under Tejashwi Yadav.
Both sides traded accusations during polling, with the RJD alleging that voting was deliberately slowed in opposition strongholds, a charge dismissed by the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Sinha claimed that RJD workers attempted to intimidate voters from backward communities.
Adding an unpredictable element to the race is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. The former election strategist has drawn attention with promises of transforming Bihar into one of the leading states in India and a bold pledge to repeal the prohibition law, which he argues has hurt the state’s economy.
As the campaign intensifies, caste and community loyalties remain crucial in determining outcomes. Voters from Yadav, Kurmi, Kushwaha, Brahmin, and Dalit communities continue to hold significant influence in key constituencies, making the next phase of voting decisive for Bihar’s political future.
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]]>The post PM Modi Accuses Congress of Reluctantly Backing Tejashwi Yadav Under Pressure from RJD appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The Prime Minister remarked that the Congress wanted to defeat the RJD in the Bihar elections and hinted that the alliance partners would soon be at odds once the second phase of voting concluded on November 11. Without naming Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav directly, Modi referred to them as political heirs of the so-called “jungle raj” and suggested that their rivalry was already evident in seats where both parties had fielded candidates.
He mentioned the Kutumba constituency, where the RJD had initially planned to contest against state Congress president Rajesh Kumar, describing such incidents as signs of internal conflict. Modi predicted a record victory for the National Democratic Alliance and asserted that the ruling coalition would continue to provide stable and visionary governance aimed at building a prosperous Bihar as part of a developed India.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Bihar’s voters had not forgotten the period of lawlessness under earlier regimes and said that the current government’s honest manifesto reflected its genuine commitment to the future. He contrasted this with what he described as a deceptive set of promises offered by the opposition alliance. Modi added that his government envisioned a Bihar where youth would find employment within the state and contribute to its growth rather than being forced to migrate for work.
He highlighted achievements under the NDA government, including improved electricity connectivity and financial inclusion programs for small farmers who had long been ignored. Modi also praised the contribution of Bhojpur and surrounding districts to the armed forces and reiterated his administration’s commitment to national security. He mentioned that the One Rank One Pension initiative had already led to the disbursement of one lakh crore rupees to servicemen’s families.
Referring to national policies, the Prime Minister said that his government had fulfilled its promise to revoke Article 370, ensuring full constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir. He also cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s successful counter-terrorism efforts, adding that opposition leaders had been disturbed when India struck terror camps across the border.
Modi accused the RJD and Congress of prioritizing only two political families—one associated with corruption in Bihar and the other at the national level. He recalled the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Indira Gandhi and criticized the Congress for allegedly promoting those responsible.
Indirectly referencing the Voter Adhikar Yatra, he claimed that it aimed to protect infiltrators who threatened Bihar’s resources and warned voters to remain alert to such intentions. The Prime Minister also referred to past incidents during the RJD regime, such as the abduction of a doctor in Tarari and the decline of Dalmia Nagar due to Naxal violence, asserting that extortion was rampant at the time.
He announced that the NDA planned to develop Jagdishpur, the birthplace of freedom fighter Veer Kunwar Singh, emphasizing that his government believed in progress that preserved cultural heritage. Modi accused the Congress and RJD of disrespecting cultural traditions, citing their remarks about religious events such as the Maha Kumbh and Chhath Puja. He urged residents who had returned home for Chhath celebrations to stay and vote.
In Nawada, once affected by Maoist activity, Modi noted that the NDA had eliminated insurgency but cautioned people to remain vigilant against urban sympathizers of extremist ideologies.
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]]>The post PM Modi Predicts Record-Breaking Win for NDA Under Nitish Kumar in Bihar Elections appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Speaking at his first campaign rally in the state, Modi took a sharp dig at the INDIA bloc, saying it was led by “leaders who are currently out on bail.”
During the event, Modi asked the crowd to light up their mobile flashlights, symbolizing a move toward modernity. Taking a jab at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), he remarked, “When everyone has access to modern technology, there’s no need for the old lantern anymore,” referring to the RJD’s election symbol.
The Prime Minister praised Nitish Kumar’s leadership, highlighting that despite facing difficulties during the Congress-led UPA government’s tenure, Nitish remained focused on development. “When he took office in 2005, nearly a decade of his term was affected by a non-cooperative central government, pressured by the RJD not to support Bihar’s NDA administration,” Modi said.
He emphasized that under the NDA government, Bihar has witnessed significant growth. “In the past eleven years, the state has received three times more central assistance than it did before. Bihar has made remarkable progress — from being dependent on others for basic needs to now exporting fish and expanding its makhana trade across the country and abroad,” Modi stated.
Calling Bihar an emerging investment destination, Modi envisioned a future driven by youth innovation. “I see every district of Bihar becoming a hub of startups led by young entrepreneurs,” he added, expressing optimism about the state’s development trajectory.
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]]>The post PM Modi says people have decided to form NDA government in Assam appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>“We work for everyone without discrimination but some people divide the country by vote bank, which is unfortunately called secularism. But if we work for everyone, it’s called communal. Games of secularism, communalism have caused great damage to the country,” he added.
During his address, the Prime Minister also stopped his speech midway and brought everyone’s attention to an elderly BJP worker in the rally who was apparently dehydrated. He promptly directed the team of PMO doctors to give immediate assistance to the worker.
“PMO medical team, please go and see the worker who is facing issues due to dehydration. Please help him immediately the doctors who have come with me,” he said.
Later, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) informed on their Twitter handle that the person was attended and he is stable now.
“The election is still going on. I heard yesterday that some people have assumed that they have lost the election and how the next government will be formed, what the people of the government must have worn. There cannot be a bigger insult to Assam, the excitement of capturing Assam after five years from now is shocking,” the Prime Minister further said during his address.
“The Congress government in its time gave Assam a long period of violence, bomb, and gun. At the same time, the NDA government is moving forward on the path of peace and prosperity with every partner of Assam,” he added.
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