Opinion poll gives NDA edge in Bihar

Bihar assembly Elections 2020, the first polls to be held in India after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is grabbing the attention across the country. The election is set to be held between October 28 and November 7. This elections will see the direct battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the main opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB).

The poll battle and political developments around it have raised several questions. Will the NDA make it back to the office or will RJD swoop in to take the throne? Can Nitish Kumar beat the anti-incumbency or will Tejashwi Yadav emerge as a new star in the Bihar political arena?

The opinion poll agency has given the NDA a “definite edge” over the principal Opposition alliance led by the RJD and comprising the Congress and the Left parties.

The ruling NDA in Bihar comprising the BJP, Chief Minsiter Nitish Kumar’s (JDU), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) are set to retain power in the state if the opinion poll projections by Lokniti-CDS are to be believed.

According to the survey, the NDA enjoys a lead of 6 percent in vote share over the RJD coalition .
The opinion poll data, released today, projected that the ruling NDA would bag 38 percent votes in three-phased Bihar Assembly elections while the vote share of the key Opposition front, named Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance a 32 percent.

The LokJanshakthi Party, which is going solo , with around 6 percent of vote share, appears to be helping the NDA win more seats by slashing the anti-incumbency votes. The others are expected to get 24 percent of vote share

In terms of seat projection, the poll suggests the NDA may get 133 to 143 seats in an Assembly of 243 whereas the Mahagathbandhan may end up securing 88 to 98 seats. The LJP has been projected to get between two and six seat while others may end up getting six to 10 seats.