Opinion poll gives NDA edge in Bihar

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 20

The ruling NDA in Bihar comprising the BJP, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), 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-CSDS are to be believed.

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.

According to the survey, the NDA enjoys a lead of 6 per cent in vote share over the RJD coalition.

The opinion poll data, released today, projected that the ruling NDA would bag 38 per cent votes in the three-phased Bihar Assembly elections beginning October 28. It put the vote share of the key Opposition front, named Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance, at 32 per cent.

While the opinion poll shows the NDA ahead, it says the ruling alliance’s cumulative vote share would be down by about 5 per cent compared to the last Assembly elections. In contrast, the grand alliance would witness an increase of 3.5 per cent in its vote share, the survey predicts.

The LJP, which is going solo, with around 6 per cent of vote share, appears to be helping the NDA win more seats by cutting the anti-incumbency votes. The others in the fray are expected to get 24 per cent 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 seats while others may end up getting six to 10 seats.