Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his political allies on Nov. 14 after a coalition led by the ruling party secured a majority in a local election in Bihar, one of the country’s most densely populated and poorest states. Over 70 million voted, out of a population of 130 million.
The Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has already won over 200 seats in the Bihar Assembly of 243, with the vote count still underway. The Prime Minister’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which contested 101 seats, in alliance with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), has emerged as the single largest party, despite never having been in power alone in Bihar. The NDA’s combined tally exceeding 200 seats guarantees Kumar a fifth term as chief minister. Bihar sends 40 lawmakers to India’s lower house of Parliament, making it crucial for any ruling coalition in New Delhi. according to RT.
“People of Bihar [have] voted for development. They have broken all records,” Modi said, addressing his party workers at BJP headquarters in New Delhi. He also posted on X congratulating the NDA coalition and suggesting that it was a victory of “good governance,” “development” and “social justice.”
The opposition was led by the Indian National Congress and regional socialist groups under the banner of the “Mahagathbandhan,” or Grand Alliance. According to projections, the opposition alliance will only cross the 35-seat mark. The polling took place in two phases on Nov. 6 and Nov. 11.
