Tejashwi Yadav rejects exit polls, cites strong voter feedback in Bihar Assembly Elections

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in his party’s prospects in the Bihar assembly elections on Wednesday, questioning the accuracy of exit polls predicting a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) victory. Speaking a day after the second and final phase of polling, Yadav said voter enthusiasm and grassroots feedback suggest a strong mandate for the Mahagathbandhan.

Addressing the media, Yadav claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are “nervous and getting anxious” as voters turned out in large numbers. He highlighted scenes of long queues outside polling stations on November 11, with citizens waiting patiently until 6–7 pm, reflecting widespread engagement and desire for change. “People have come out in large numbers against the current government. The feedback we are receiving is even stronger than what we saw in 1995, when Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Janata Dal won 167 seats,” he said.

Yadav also dismissed the reliability of exit polls, arguing that their sample sizes are insufficient to represent the entire electorate and that their methodologies are often undisclosed. He suggested that such surveys may be designed to create psychological pressure or influence public perception rather than accurately predict outcomes.

The Bihar Legislative Assembly has a total of 243 seats, and multiple exit polls had projected a comfortable win for the NDA. According to the surveys:

• People’s Pulse projected 133–159 seats for the NDA, 75–101 for the Mahagathbandhan, 0–5 for Jan Suraaj, and 2–8 for others.

• People’s Insight estimated 133–148 seats for NDA, 87–102 for Mahagathbandhan, 0–2 for Jan Suraaj, and 3–6 for independent candidates.

• DVC Research predicted 137–152 seats for NDA, 83–98 for Mahagathbandhan, 2–4 for Jan Suraaj, and 4–8 for others.

Despite these predictions, Yadav maintained optimism about the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects, citing strong voter turnout and internal feedback.

Referring to these numbers, Yadav emphasized that on-ground feedback differs from exit poll predictions. He reiterated that RJD is relying on actual voter engagement and grassroots reports rather than surveys. The first phase of polling was held on November 6, followed by the second phase on November 11. Counting is scheduled for November 16, with the oath-taking ceremony expected on November 18.

Yadav’s statements underline a narrative of strong public support for the Mahagathbandhan, positioning the party as confident of a post-election mandate despite exit poll projections favouring the NDA.