One day before the declaration of the Assembly Election Results, it was all quite in the offices of the political parties at Beerchand Patel Marg in Patna.
The leaders remained mostly homebound on Monday and declined to comment on the election results. The man of the moment, Rashtriya leader Janata Dal and UPA chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav, celebrated his 31st birthday, a low-key affair at the residence of his mother Rabri Devi.
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At the party headquarters of ruling Janata Dal-United, some officials sat down to discuss exit polls that have predicted a bleak outlook for the party. “Why should we believe these exit polls? … You must remember the 2015 exit poll that went completely wrong … we are coming to power again, our leader Nitish Kumar will be the CM by the quarter consecutive mandate, “said one of them requesting anonymity. “I am not authorized to speak to the media, you know,” he added by way of explanation.
Outside at the door are huge billboards and signs proclaiming “Nitish sabke hain [Nitish Kumar is of everyone]. “But the line of vehicles that were usually seen parked outside was missing.
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Exit polls have projected a below-average performance by JD (U), led by Nitish Kumar, amid a strong anti-incumbent wave across the state.
A few meters away, in the office of the RJD of the Opposition, the usual bustle was missing. A small group of officials were seen with wide smiles.
“After a long time, the smile has returned to the party office,” said party leader and spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari. “And why not? Haven’t you seen the exit poll projections? But we knew even before, that the people of Bihar had voted for change this time, for a young leader like Tejashwi Yadav. Now it’s a question. a few hours and we will all know what is in fact a foregone conclusion, ”he said.
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Meanwhile, birthday wishes hit social media for Tejashwi Yadav, considered the next Chief Minister of Bihar. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, older brothers Misa Bharti and Tej Pratap Yadav were among those who wished Mr. Yadav a “bright future”.
Earlier on November 9, RJD tweeted warning party workers not to resort to “celebratory firings or rude behavior” against rivals on results day. “Whatever the results of the November 10 elections, they must be accepted with absolute restraint, simplicity and courtesy,” the tweet read.
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In the offices of the BJP and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party there were also very few people moving. Large posters and billboards displaying the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been taking up all the space on the outer walls of the BJP office. The Lok Janshakti Party office near Patna airport sported a desert look. There was only one office worker present and a lone SUV parked outside. “Come tomorrow and you will see the rush here,” he said before quickly retreating inside. The LJP led by the head of the party, Chirag Paswan, has been criticizing the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, and has run candidates against the JD (U) to dethrone Kumar.
Topic of discussion
The exit polls were also the hot topic of discussion among the people of Patna. “Whatever the outcome tomorrow, whether Tejashwi Yadav or someone from the BJP becomes the Chief Minister, one thing is clear: Nitish Kumar’s return for a fourth term seems almost impossible,” Rajesh Kumar, an engineer and businessman from the Kankerbagh area of Patna said The Hindu, drinking tea at a roadside stall near Gayatri mandir (temple).
His friends nodded. “Change is always good for democracy,” they said.
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