Early counting in the Bihar Assembly elections on Friday signalled a notable shift in several constituencies with large Muslim electorates, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerging ahead in an unexpected number of these segments.
Initial leads suggest the NDA could clinch around 16 such seats, with Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) showing the strongest momentum within the coalition. The JD(U) appears set to improve its previous tally by roughly eight seats compared to its 2020 performance. Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) is also registering gains, leading in six Muslim-heavy constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan’s campaign pitch—centred on employment and the promise of a new chief ministerial face—has not translated into early success. Current trends indicate that the RJD is slipping in at least seven Muslim-majority seats it had secured in 2020, while Congress trails in four seats it previously held. In the last assembly polls, the RJD had captured 18 such seats, and Congress had won six.
Muslim voters in Bihar have traditionally backed alliances that project themselves as inclusive, often consolidating behind formations seen as more protective of minority interests.
