Patna, November 12, 2025 — In the wake of the recently concluded Bihar assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday firmly rejected the exit poll projections that largely favored the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), asserting that the surveys failed to reflect the actual mood of the electorate. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Yadav emphasised that he neither relies on “false optimism” nor misunderstands the political scenario in Bihar.

The assembly elections in Bihar were held in two phases, with record voter turnout marking a politically charged exercise. Despite the ongoing voting, several exit polls projecting a victory for the NDA and indicating that the Mahagathbandhan would fall short of the majority were released while polling was still underway. Tejashwi Yadav criticised this timing, describing the release of such surveys as a deliberate attempt to create psychological pressure on voters and influence the electoral process.

“Yesterday, people stood in long queues during voting, even until six or seven in the evening. People patiently waited to cast their votes. And while voting was still underway, exit polls began to emerge,” Yadav said. He argued that these projections, most of which forecasted a clear advantage for the BJP-JD(U) alliance, were intended to manipulate perception rather than represent an accurate assessment of public sentiment.

The RJD leader also questioned the methodology behind these exit polls, pointing to the lack of transparency in their sample size and criteria. “If you ask any of those showing these surveys about the sample size, none of them can tell you. Neither the sample size nor the criteria of the survey have been made public,” he said, highlighting a recurring concern regarding the reliability and objectivity of such projections.

Contrasting the exit poll projections, Yadav claimed that the Mahagathbandhan had conducted its own assessment by collecting feedback directly from voters after they had cast their ballots. According to him, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong desire for change among the electorate. “After the election ended, we collected feedback from people, and the information we received has been extremely positive. In the past, such positive feedback never used to come. You can say that the feedback we received this time is even better than what we got during the 1995 elections,” he asserted.

Yadav stressed that the people of Bihar had voted decisively against the incumbent government. “Everyone has voted in large numbers against this government, and this time, change is definitely going to happen. I had already said that the results will come on the 14th, and the oath ceremony will be held on the 18th,” he added, signalling confidence in a Mahagathbandhan victory despite what exit polls suggested.

Several exit poll surveys had predicted that the NDA would secure a comfortable majority. Dainik Bhaskar projected 145–160 seats for the NDA, 73–91 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 0–3 for the Jan Suraaj party. Matrize Exit Poll forecast 147–167 seats for the NDA, 70–90 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 0–2 for Jan Suraaj. The People’s Pulse poll gave 133–159 seats to the NDA, 75–101 to the Mahagathbandhan, and 0–5 to Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraaj party.

While exit polls are based on surveys conducted at polling stations and are intended to offer an early indication of election outcomes, Yadav emphasised that they do not always reflect the actual results. Historically, numerous instances have shown that exit polls can be inaccurate, failing to capture the final will of the electorate.

The Bihar assembly elections this year saw record participation, with voter turnout across the two phases reaching 66.91%, the highest since 1951, according to the Election Commission. The high level of engagement underscores the public’s active role in shaping the political future of the state. Political analysts note that such heightened turnout can sometimes lead to unexpected results, challenging conventional predictions and exit poll assumptions.

Yadav’s response also reflects the broader political narrative of the Mahagathbandhan, which has focused on mobilising grassroots support and highlighting perceived lapses in governance by the ruling NDA. Opposition leaders have consistently emphasised issues such as development, employment, social welfare, and governance accountability, framing the elections as a referendum on the performance of the incumbent administration.

Despite the exit poll projections favoring the NDA, Yadav’s remarks signal the Mahagathbandhan’s confidence in achieving a decisive mandate. By questioning the methodology of surveys and highlighting direct voter feedback, he has sought to reinforce the party’s narrative that the electorate’s voice will determine the final outcome, irrespective of preemptive projections.

The counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, November 14, and both political camps are closely monitoring developments. As anticipation builds across Bihar, the final election results will not only decide the next state government but also reflect the effectiveness of voter engagement and the accuracy of pre-election surveys.

In summary, Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks underscore the Mahagathbandhan’s confidence and scepticism towards exit polls, emphasizing that voter sentiment expressed directly at the grassroots level is the ultimate determinant of electoral success. With counting day approaching, all eyes remain on Bihar as the state prepares to unveil its new legislative assembly and set the stage for the formation of the next government.

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