Chirag Paswan has delivered one of his strongest electoral performances in Bihar, marking a significant rise for the 43-year-old Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader within the National Democratic Alliance. After negotiating firmly for 29 assembly seats, he is leading in 22, recording an impressive strike rate of nearly 75%.

The outcome strengthens Chirag’s position in state politics, particularly after his party’s clean sweep in all five Lok Sabha seats it contested last year. For a leader once dismissed as inexperienced following the 2020 Assembly results—when the then-united LJP won just one of over 130 seats—this turnaround marks a notable phase of consolidation.

From setbacks to resurgence

Following the split in the party in 2021 after his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras staked claim to his father Ram Vilas Paswan’s legacy, Chirag faced questions over his political depth. However, he gradually rebuilt the organisation, projecting himself as a ‘Yuva Bihari’ and reinforcing the party’s connect with Dalit communities.

The 2024 Lok Sabha success played a pivotal role in reshaping his image and placed him back in serious contention within the NDA fold. Even though key alliance partners were initially reluctant to offer more than 20 seats, Chirag’s tactical outreach to the Jan Suraaj Party signalled that he could not be sidelined. He eventually secured 29 seats for the 2025 election.

Chirag’s political roadmap

Ahead of the polls, Chirag said he would stake claim to the deputy chief minister’s post while acknowledging that some party workers hoped to see him in the top job. He maintained that the chief minister’s position “was never vacant in 2025”, but added that ambition within the cadre is a positive sign.

He outlined broader plans that extend beyond Bihar, stating that his next political focus would be the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections in 2027, followed by working to ensure a fourth term for the prime minister in the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and then planning forward to 2030.

Days before counting, he also reiterated his loyalty to PM Narendra Modi, dismissing any possibility of switching alliances if results differed from NDA expectations. He emphasised that he remained fully committed to the prime minister and ruled out any alternative political alignment.

As counting progressed on Tuesday morning, the National Democratic Alliance surged ahead in the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, crossing the 160-seat mark within the first few hours. By 10:15 am, the alliance was leading in 162 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan was ahead in 77 constituencies.

Amit Shah’s prediction mirrors early trends

The strong performance closely aligns with remarks made earlier by Home Minister Amit Shah, who had asserted at a public forum that the NDA would secure 160 or more seats with a two-thirds majority. He had reiterated the same forecast days later, dismissing speculation about internal differences within the five-party alliance.

According to him, the NDA partners — JDU, BJP, LJP, HAM and RLM — were contesting together with complete unity. His comment comparing the coalition to the “five Pandavas” reflected his confidence in the alliance’s cohesion.

Exit polls had already favored NDA

Ahead of the counting day, exit polls studied by media had broadly projected a comfortable win for the NDA. While some indicated a closer contest with the Mahagathbandhan, all forecast the Nitish Kumar-led alliance returning to power.

Nitish Kumar’s party regains strength

One of the standout developments of the day has been the resurgence of the JDU. After being overshadowed in 2020 with 43 seats, the party is now on course to win around 74 seats, restoring its dominant position within the alliance.

RJD likely to lose single-largest party status

The Rashtriya Janata Dal, which topped the tally in 2020 with 75 seats, appears set to fall significantly behind this time. Early trends indicate a reversal of fortunes, placing the opposition alliance firmly behind the NDA’s expanding lead.

Welcome to our Bihar Election Results 2025 Live Blog.

Bihar Election Results 2025 will be declared as counting to begin soon for all 243 assembly seats. The high-stakes contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan will determine whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar retains power or the Opposition stages a comeback. Stay with us for real-time updates, seat trends, voter patterns and numbers as counting progresses.

6:30 AM – Counting Day Begins In Bihar

Good morning and welcome to our Bihar Election Results 2025 Live Blog. Counting for all 243 assembly seats will begin shortly across multiple counting centres in the state. Security has been tightened, and officials have taken positions as EVMs are prepared for the opening round.

7:00 AM – Heavy Security At Counting Centres

Security personnel have been deployed across all counting centres in Bihar. Only authorised individuals are being allowed entry, and movement around the centres is strictly monitored. Counting will begin at 8 am with postal ballots.

7:30 AM – Postal Ballots To Be Counted First

As per procedure, counting will start with postal ballots before the EVM rounds begin. This initial phase is expected to give the first trend of the day, especially in closely fought constituencies.

🕗 Pre-Counting (Just Before Trends Start)

7:55 AM – Final Checks Underway

Officials are carrying out final checks inside all counting halls. Party agents have taken their seats, and EVM tables are ready for counting. The first trends are expected soon after counting begins.

8:00 AM – Counting Begins For All 243 Seats

Counting has officially started across Bihar. Postal ballots are being opened, and the first trend from key seats is expected within minutes. Stay with us for the latest numbers.

📊 Early Trends (8:15 AM – 10:00 AM)

8:15 AM – First Trends Expected Shortly

The first trends from constituencies such as Patna Sahib, Mokama, Raghopur, and Gaya Town are expected shortly as postal ballot counting picks up pace.

8:16 AM – NDA leads in 8 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 2. Jan Suraj leading in 1.

8:17 AM – NDA leads in 8 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 6

8:16 AM – NDA leads in 12 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 8

8:20 AM – NDA leads in 19 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 10

8:22 AM – Prashant Kishor’s party Jan Suraaj leading in 2 seats

8:23 AM – NDA leads in 29 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 17

8:25 AM – NDA leads in 34 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 18

8:27 AM – NDA leads in 38 seats, Mahagathbandhan in 24

8:33 AM Postal ballots seem to be swinging the NDA way while the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan is found wanting

8:37 AM – BJP’s Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary Leading From Tarapur

8:38 AM – Tejashwi Yadav Takes Early Lead From Raghopur

8:46 AM – BJP’s Maithili Thakur Leading From Alipur

8:47 AM – JDU’s Anant Singh Takes Lead From Mokama

8:48 AM – Khesari Lal Yadav Leading From Chapra

8:56 AM – Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap, Narendra Singh, Maithili Thakur and Samrat Choudhary Leading

9:03 AM – BJP Emerges as Largest Party, Leading on 54 Seats

10:32 AM – Mohammad Shahabuddin’s Son Leading in Raghunathpur

10:35 AM – Khesari Lal Yadav Continues to Lead in Chapra?

10:38 AM – Tej Pratap Yadav Trailing in Mahua