As one enters the JD (U) office on Bir Chand Patel Path, Nitish Kumar’s sundry advertisements still look imposing. Inside the party office, an ad covering a wall reads “Bihar me bahaar ho Nitishe Kumar ho”. Small-time leaders, who played an important role in poll management, are seen filing in and out. Some are discussing “confusing and politically correct” exit poll surveys. A leader discusses phasewise prospects of the Grand Alliance’s performance and is not willing to settle for less than 150 seats. A leader explains how the party works out seatwise performance based on the segment’s caste profile and the candidates. “We first get feedback on how much base votes we can get. Through eye contact, polling agents can make out who people are voting for. We also take into account our opponent’s strength and any important Independent in the fray”, said a leader, concluding that Grand Alliance would get a majority with JD (U) getting more seats than allies. [related-post] Some leaders spoke of how NDA leaders conducted over 800 poll rallies. “BJP started by projecting Modi as a development man and later described him as an OBC and EBC. He might have been declared a Dalit had the poll extended to the sixth round,” said a leader. No leader was willing to come on record. “It is true that BJP looked to be in a good position in the fourth round. But, after the last round, BJP stands nowhere,” said a leader. Just about 250 m away, the BJP office had few leaders and many mediapersons. Party spokesperson Rakesh Singh, who was at the party office, said he takes the musical route to destress himself after an election. He plays Farida Khanum’s “aaj jaane ki jid na karo” and shows his picture with Modi at the Darbhanga rally. BJP leaders claimed they will not get less than 140-150 seats. They work out the mean average of exit polls and predict a clear majority for NDA. Someone says former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi “would do farming, write a book or sit at home if NDA loses but not join the Grand Alliance”. Another leader says Upendra Kushwaha would “prove to be NDA”s weakest link”. While Nitish said he would talk to media only Sunday, Lalu Prasad spent his time relaxing. “Laluji has claimed we will win 190 seats. What is there to add?,” said an RJD leader.
