No matter two more days are left in the ultimate day for Bihar elections but the pre-tremors have started to shake political circles even in the neighbouring Jharkhand.
The exit poll results started coming out soon after the fifth and final phase of voting ended on Thursday bringing smile to the faces of the Opposition parties whereas big names in the ruling BJP refrained from talking.
"We were fully convinced that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would emerge victorious in the polls. Nitish Kumar is going to form the Government again in Bihar. The sense is getting vindicated through the exit poll outcomes that also show that people of the State have not lost their confidence in the good works done by Nitish Kumar. At the same time, this is also a rejection of the one and half year rule of the BJP at the Centre. This country has always been tolerant and the people have denied their divisive politics," said JVM general secretary Pradeep Yadav whose supreme leader Babulal Marandi had campaigned for JD-U-RJD alliance in Bihar.
Most of the exit polls barring 'Chanakya-News 24' have come up with disappointing figures for the BJP-led NDA. 'ABP News' has given 130 seats to the Grand Alliance and 108 to the NDA while according to 'News X-CNX' exit poll the combine of JD-U-RJD-Congress would get 130-140 seats reducing NDA further to 90-100. 'India Today-Cicero' prediction has also put the ruling alliance in Bihar near halfway mark with 111-123 seats along with the BJP with 113-127 seats.
'India TV-C Voter' exit poll shows NDA well behind the desired number with just 111 seats and 122 to the rival camp and substantial 10 to the others. Nevertheless, 'Chanakya-News 24' is the only that sends packing the JD-U-RDJ-Congress with just 83 from the Government and scores thumping 155 seats for the NDA.
"Exit polls are showing the anti-BJP mood which was already there. The Grand Alliance would reach to the majority when final results come on Sunday. But I believe that this election is going to have its larger socio-political implications in the country, irrespective of the results. The manner in which the BJP has spread hatred and malice is irreparable," said upbeat JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.
On the other, the predictions have muted most of the top leader of the BJP in Jharkhand. "As I have not come across the exit poll results I would not be able to comment right now. But we still hope that the NDA would manage majority in Bihar," said Saryu Roy, Minister in the Raghubar Das Government and senior BJP leader. BJP State president Ravindra Rai's could not be contacted for comment.
Notably, many top leaders from the State, including Chief Minister Raghubar Das, former CM Arjun Munda and Ministers such as Neera Yadav, Randhir Singh, Amar Kumar Bauri and several senior party members had campaigned extensively for NDA ahead of the polls in Bihar.