Big jump for NDA in third phase
Mahagathbandhan dominated in the seats that voted in the first phase, taking more than half of the electoral districts that were offered. But the second phase was more even, with the NDA nearly beating the Mahagathbandhan in vote participation and taking nine more seats. The third phase of the vote sealed it for the NDA, with a clear 5 percentage point lead in the percentage of votes and a 31-seat lead.
NDA dominated despite weak JD (U)
Regional results show how much the BJP contributed to the NDA’s victory, while its ally JD (U) lost seats in all regions.
Tirhut-Saran
BJP performed better in the districts contiguous to UP, but the percentage of votes and seats of JD (U) decreased. The left shone here too, going from one seat in 2015 to four this time.
Dharbhanga-Kosi-Purnia
The NDA took 44 of the 67 seats in the north of the state even though its rival RJD had a higher share of votes than any other party. While the BJP seats doubled, those in Congress were cut in half.
Patna-Magadh
RJD’s 24% vote share in central Bihar kept Mahagathbandhan ahead. His partners Congress and the Left also won more seats.
Bhagalpur-Munger
JD (U) ‘s high voter turnout in the southeast of the state kept the NDA ahead with 20 seats compared to 12 for Mahagathbandhan. RJD was unable to translate a similar vote share across so many seats.
BJP remains popular with urban voters
BJP led in urban seats and made great strides in rural districts where its partner JD (U) lost ground. RJD continues to be the largest player in rural seating and has made progress in semi-urban seating.
RJD, Allies keep ‘Muslim’ seats
The NDA ended up with fewer ‘Muslim’ seats because JD (U) lost 10 of them. Congress also lost 3, while AIMIM won 5 with large margins.
BJP, a big winner in reserved seats
BJP won double the reserved seats of SC and ST this time, while JD (U), RJD and Congress lost some
Only 12 votes decided a winner
Small margins prove time and time again why every vote counts. JD (U) ‘s Krishnamurari Sharan needed no more than a dozen to close out the battle against his RJD opponent in Hilsa. In fact, margins can tell their own election story. JD (U) won most of the close decisions, while most of RJD’s victories came with margins between 10,000 and 20,000 votes.
HOW THE PARTIES SHARED THE VOTE PIE
It did not have the rationalizing effect of the 2019 parliamentary elections, when it won 39 of the 40 seats in Bihar’s Lok Sabha, but the NDA managed to maintain enough foci of support in what turned out to be a close electoral race.
NDA had done better in the 2019 LS polls
NDA was the leader in 21 seats from Lok Sabha and Mahagathbandhan in 18, while the alliance of AIMIM, BSP and RLSP led in the Kinshanganj seat. There is a clear geographical division with seats in the southwestern parts, all in favor of the grand alliance and those in the north and east going to the NDA. In 2019, NDA had won 39 of 40 seats, Congress won its only victory in Kishanganj, and RJD won none.
Patna conflict for NDA
The NDA’s vote share was highest in the far north of the state and in the east. It was lower in some of the electoral districts in the southwest of the state. Interestingly, their highest and lowest vote percentages were in the same district, Patna. Its highest share (59%) was in the Bankipur constituency and its lowest share (8%) was in Bikram.
Maya-Owaisi, a success in Purnia
The share of votes from the alliance between AIMIM, BSP and RLSP was the highest in the Southwest and Northeast, as with Mahagathbandhan. In the rest of the state, this alliance did not have much presence and, in fact, it was not even strong in many electoral districts. Its highest proportion (51.2%) was in Amour in the Purnia district. Its lowest percentage (0.3%) was in Pranpur in the neighboring Katihar district.
Bhojpur best for MGB
Mahagathbandhan’s vote share was highest in the southwestern part of the state and to some extent in the northeast. It was the lowest in some of the electoral districts in the north and east of the state. However, its highest and lowest vote percentages were in the same southwestern part of Bihar. Its highest proportion (61.4%) was in Agianon in the Bhojpur district. Its lowest share (2.3%) was in Chainpur in Kaimur district.
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