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Journalism of Courage
In the first phase of polling held on Thursday, Bihar saw a voter turnout of 64.66 per cent — a jump from the 56.1 per cent turnout recorded in the opening phase of the 2020 Bihar Assembly Election. The figure is already being dubbed as the highest ever in Bihar in the last more than two decades.
In a press statement issued by the Election Commission, the poll panel said in 2000, Bihar had clocked a total voter turnout of 62.57 per cent. While Bihar is yet to conclude this year’s election, the voting percentage in the first phase is arguably the highest in the last 25 years.
Meanwhile, moments after voting concluded on 121 seats in the first phase, both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan camps claimed victory while reacting to the voting percentage.
In its first reaction, Congress said the Mahagathbandhan alliance is confident of forming the government in Bihar. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Pawan Khera said: “We are forming the next government with a clear majority. Maybe, more than just a clear majority.”
Reacting to the voter turnout, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishore said: “Highest voter turnout in the last 30 years indicates an imminent change in Bihar. There will be a new arrangement on the 14th (counting date).”
However, it was not just the Opposition that claimed victory after assessing the high voter turnout. Speaking to PTI, Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister and BJP candidate Sanjay Saraogi said: “The wave is strong; there’s a clear surge in favour of the NDA. The public was excited and had been looking forward to election day. Both party workers and the public were full of excitement. The NDA is heading toward a massive victory.”
JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar went a step ahead and credited the Bihar government’s Mahila Rozgar Yojana for the voting percentage. In an interview to the PTI, he said: “After the first phase of voting, the Opposition alleged vote theft. What does 60 per cent voting percentage signify? The voting percentage increased. Along with that, a new social base supported NDA, through Mahila Rozgar Yojana, the extremely backward, and Dalit beneficiaries voted in large numbers.”
He added, “Definitely, Bihar wants development, (they) trust in the leadership, people still trust Nitish Kumar. As per my information, Tejashwi Yadav will find it very difficult to win from Raghopur. The most important is expansion of social base. There were amazing scenes at the booths.”
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