BJP claims victory in Bihar amid counting of votes, PM Modi says people gave 'decisive decision' for development

The top brass of BJP claimed victory even as counting for votes in 50 seats are still underway.

According to the last received data, the NDA is leading 125 seats while the Oppositions' Alliance is trailing behind with 110 seats.

The BJP is ahead in 73 seats and the Janata Dal (United) managed to lead in 43. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has emerged to be the single-largest party with its lead in 76 seats while its ally partners Congress leads in 19 seats and Left in 11.

Amid counting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the people of Bihar has given a "decisive decision" in choosing development.

In a Hindi tweet, PM Modi said: "Bihar has taught the world the first lesson of democracy. Today Bihar has told the world again how democracy is strengthened. A record number of poor, deprived and women of Bihar also voted and today have also given their decisive decision for development."

The Prime Minister said that people of Bihar trusted the NDA's strategy of development for all.

"The poor in villages, farmers, labourers, merchants, shopkeepers and every section of Bihar have relied on the NDA's mantra of sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas. I again assure every citizen of Bihar that for the balanced development of every person, every region, we will continue to work with full dedication," PM Modi tweeted.

"Young people in Bihar have made it clear that this new decade will be for Bihar and self-sufficient Bihar is its roadmap. The youth of Bihar have relied on their strength and resolve of the NDA. This youthful energy has now encouraged the NDA to work harder than before," he wrote.

"Every voter in Bihar has clearly stated that he or she is an aspirant and priority is only and only development. The blessings of the NDA's good governance again after 15 years in Bihar shows what Bihar's dreams are, what Bihar's expectations are," PM Modi said.

Earlier in the night, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also claimed victory and tweeted: "Every section of Bihar has rejected hollow promises, casteism and politics of appeasement, and has backed the NDA's development agenda."

Meanwhile, amid allegations by Bihar oppositions' alliance, the Election Commission earlier in the evening denied that they are under pressure by the ruling party as the counting for the votes in the assembly elections in still underway.

"We are not under any pressure... results have been declared only on 146 seats," the Election Commission told the media regarding the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)'s claim that it has "won" 119 seats.

The EC mentioned that if need be, there would be recounting in some constituencies.

The RJD has alleged misuse of the administrative machinery to influence results of Bihar Assembly Elections in favour of ruling parties in some seats where counting was heading towards a photo finish.

National spokesman of RJD Manoj Jha told media persons here that Grand alliance was inching towards the formation of next government in Bihar with the progress of counting of votes for Bihar Assembly Elections.

As the counting would move further towards its completion, RJD led Grand Alliance would get a comfortable majority to form the government, he claimed.

They even released a list of 119 candidates who have "won" but were not given certificates by the Returning Officer.

"There are some constituencies where RJD-led Grand Alliance candidates had emerged victorious but Returning Officers were not issuing certificates to them, apparently due to instructions from their political masters," he alleged.

The RJD leader said that people of Bihar had delivered its verdict and it would be crystal clear after completion of counting of votes.

The Bihar election has been a high-stake battle between the 'National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) and the RJD-Congress-Left formed 'Mahagathbandhan'.

While the BJP-JD(U) alliance seeks another term, the RJD has attempted to make a comeback to power.

However, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) which contested from 122 seats of the 243-member assembly received a blow as the counting of votes headed.

According to reports, Chirag Paswan-led LJP's sudden decision to contest alone in the election gave a major hit to the JD(U).