In Bihar, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections carry a weight of anticipation and reflection for the voters. A News18 opinion poll, conducted across 518 constituencies and engaging over 1.2 lakh respondents, projected triumph for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, expecting it to secure 38 out of 40 seats. The remaining two seats will likely fall under the INDIA bloc.
Opinion poll: Bihar seat projectionBihar holds significant political importance, evident from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two recent visits to the state within the last 15 days. During these visits, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth thousands of crores that seem to have bolstered the NDA's standing.
Opinion poll: Bihar vote share projectionChief Minister Nitish Kumar's strategic shift to ally with the BJP further solidifies the NDA's advantage, setting the stage for a seemingly straightforward electoral contest.
However, there exists a spectrum of voter sentiments and concerns. Dissatisfaction with incumbent MPs resonates among 32% of respondents, a sentiment mirrored in other states like Delhi, Kerala, and Punjab.
Yet, amidst this discontent, Prime Minister Modi enjoys a remarkable 76% satisfaction rate among Bihar respondents, a testament to his enduring popularity as he vies for a third term.
Job scarcity emerges as the predominant issue, influencing 65% of respondents, closely followed by concerns over (64%), law and order (52%), corruption (32%), and religion (24%).
In this electoral equation, the BJP, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar, and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party stand united under the NDA banner. Conversely, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Lalu Yadav and the Congress form the opposition INDIA bloc.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, held in seven phases, the NDA swept 39 seats out of 40, with the BJP securing 17, JD(U) 16, and LJP 6 seats. In 2014, however, the JD(U) fared poorly contesting solo, while the BJP, in alliance with other parties, dominated with 31 seats.
Bihar's substantial population, recorded at 10.41 crore in the 2011 census, also underscores its pivotal role in shaping India's political landscape.
First Published: Mar 13, 2024 6:39 PM IST
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