2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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| seats1 = '''75'''

| seat_change1 = {{decrease}}5

| popular_vote1 = '''997,~~738~~38,855'''

| percentage1 = '''23.11%'''

| swing1 = {{increase}} 4.79%

| image2 =Sanjay Jaiswal Member of Parliament (cropped).jpg

| leader2 = [[Sanjay Jaiswal]]

| party2 = Bharatiya Janata Party

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| seats2 = 74

| seat_change2 = {{Increase}}21

| popular_vote2 = 882,~~202~~02,067

| percentage2 = 19.46%

| swing2 = {{decrease}} 4.96%

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| seats3 = 43

| seat_change3 = {{decrease}}28

| popular_vote3 = 664,~~485~~85,179

| percentage3 = 15.39%

| swing3 = {{decrease}} 1.44%

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| seats4 = 19

| seat_change4 = {{decrease}}8

| popular_vote4 = 339,~~995~~95,319

| percentage4 = 9.48%

| swing4 = {{increase}} 2.82%

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| seats5 = 12

| seat_change5 = {{Increase}}9

| popular_vote5 = 113,~~333~~33,682

| percentage5 = 3.16%

| swing5 = {{increase}} 1.66%

| image6 = {{CSS image crop|Image=|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=120|oLeft=5|oTop=0}}

~~| image6 = File:Indian Election Symbol Kite.svg~~

| leader6 = [[Akhtarul Iman]]

| party6 = All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen

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| seats6 = 5

| seat_change6 = {{Increase}}5

| popular_vote6 = ~~523~~5,23,279

| percentage6 = 1.24%

| swing6 = {{increase}} 1.03%

| map_image = 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly ~~election~~Election ~~2020~~Result Map.svg

| map_size = ~~400px~~350px

| map_caption = Seatwise Result Map of the election

~~| map_caption = {{legend|#FF9933|[[National Democratic Alliance]] : 125 seats}} {{legend|#008000|[[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] : 110~~

| map2 = {{Switcher

~~seats}} {{legend|#808080|Others : 8~~

|[[File:Bharat Bihar Vidhan Sabha 2020.svg|350px]]

~~seats}}~~

|Partywise structure|[[File:Bharat Bihar Vidhan Sabha Alliance Wise 2020.svg|350px]]|Alliance wise structure}}

~~| map2_image = 2020 Bihar assembly election results.png~~

~~| map2_size = 400px~~

~~| map2_caption = Map of election results~~

| title = [[Chief Minister of Bihar|Chief Minister]]

| before_election = [[Nitish Kumar]]

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The Bihar Legislative Assembly election was held in three phases through October–November to elect members to the Seventeenth [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]]. The term of the previous [[Sixteenth Legislative Assembly of Bihar]] ended on 29 November 2020.

The election was held in three phases for a total of 243 seats:- the first for 71 seats on 28 October 2020, the second for 94 seats on 3 November 2020, and the third for the remaining 78 seats on 7 November 2020. The counting of votes began on 10 November 2020 and the incumbent [[National Democratic Alliance]] emerged as the winner with 125 elected [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]], whereas the [[Parliamentary opposition|principal opposition]] coalition of [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] won 110 seats.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-11|title=Bihar election: India's BJP coalition wins key state election|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54883737|access-date=2020-11-15|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032413/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-54883737|url-status=live}}</ref> Other minor coalitions and parties won 7 seats while only 1 newly elected MLA was an independent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://results.eci.gov.in/ACTRENDS2020/partywiseresult-S04.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110025739/https://results.eci.gov.in/ACTRENDS2020/partywiseresult-S04.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-15|website=results.eci.gov.in}}</ref>

After the elections, the incumbent [[List of chief ministers of Bihar|Chief Minister]] [[Nitish Kumar]] was elected as the leader of the [[National Democratic Alliance]] in Bihar and was sworn in again as Chief Minister, whereas two new [[List of deputy chief ministers of Bihar|deputy Chief Ministers]], [[Tarkishore Prasad]] and [[Renu Devi]] were inducted to the [[Seventh Nitish Kumar ministry|new ministry]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-11-16|title=Nitish Kumar sworn in as Bihar CM again|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/nitish-kumar-returns-as-bihar-cm-for-seventh-time-in-20-years/article33107918.ece|access-date=2020-11-16|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116124633/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/nitish-kumar-returns-as-bihar-cm-for-seventh-time-in-20-years/article33107918.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On the other side, [[Tejashwi Yadav]] was elected [[Leader of the Opposition]], and also leader of the [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] alliance.

Later [[Vijay Kumar Sinha]] was elected the new [[Bihar Legislative Assembly|Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-11-25|title=NDA nominee Vijay Kumar Sinha elected Bihar Assembly Speaker|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nda-nominee-vijay-kumar-sinha-elected-bihar-assembly-speaker/article33175746.ece|access-date=2020-11-27|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125134828/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nda-nominee-vijay-kumar-sinha-elected-bihar-assembly-speaker/article33175746.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Background==

Outlined in Article 168 of the [[Constitution of India]], the Bihar Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the [[Bicameralism|bicameral legislature]] of [[Bihar]] and not a permanent body and subject to dissolution.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Article 168 in The Constitution Of India 1949|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1555093/|access-date=13 October 2020|website=Indiankanoon.org|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218182338/https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1555093/|url-status=live}}</ref> The tenure of the Legislative Assembly is five years from the date appointed for its first sitting unless dissolved sooner. Members of the Legislative Assembly are directly elected by the people. The [[Tenure]] of [[Sixteenth Legislative Assembly of Bihar|current Bihar Legislative Assembly]] is scheduled to end on 29 November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-25|title=Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 dates announced, to be conducted from Oct 28-Nov 7 in 3 phases|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bihar-assembly-elections-2020-poll-dates-to-be-announced-today-election-commission-2845206|access-date=2020-09-30|website=DNA India|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001010535/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bihar-assembly-elections-2020-poll-dates-to-be-announced-today-election-commission-2845206|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the previous election, an alliance of three Major Parties consisting of [[Janata Dal (United)]], [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] and [[Indian National Congress]] named as [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] won against its primary opposition, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] led [[National Democratic Alliance]]. However, in 2017, the [[Janata Dal (United)]] Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]] left the [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] and joined the [[National Democratic Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) passes resolution to join NDA - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nitish-kumar-led-jdu-passes-resolution-to-join-nda/articleshow/60131233.cms|access-date=2020-10-13|website=The Times of India|date=19 August 2017|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014084432/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nitish-kumar-led-jdu-passes-resolution-to-join-nda/articleshow/60131233.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> While [[Nitish Kumar]] remained the Chief Minister, [[Sushil Kumar Modi]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] replaced [[Tejashwi Yadav]] as the Deputy Chief Minister.

===Issues===

The main issue was that of the jobs and the economy. Bihar, for a long time, has been an economically backward state and sends large numbers of migrant laborers to cities across the country. Due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, thousands of migrant laborers were [[Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic|forced to return]] to their home states due to lack of work, and Bihar was one of the most affected by the ensuing humanitarian crisis. Many of these workers blamed the current government for not having jobs for them in the first place, and not providing jobs when the lockdown started. There was also a significant anti-incumbency wave against Nitish, who had been CM for 15 years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=hermes|date=2020-11-07|title=Jobs a key issue in Bihar's election amid Covid-19|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/jobs-a-key-issue-in-bihars-election-amid-covid-19|access-date=2020-11-07|website=The Straits Times|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107090321/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/jobs-a-key-issue-in-bihars-election-amid-covid-19|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2020 Indian agriculture acts|three agriculture bills]] passed by the [[Indian Parliament]] amid nationwide protests was expected to play a key role in the elections.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar Election 2020: Key issues that will guide voting and impact results|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/bihar-election-covid-pandemic-farm-bills-1726480-2020-09-29|access-date=2020-09-30|website=India Today}}</ref>

Issues such as the lack of employment, alleged politicisation of flood relief in the aftermath of the [[2019 Bihar floods]] and alleged inability of the state government to handle the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] were expected to be made an election issue by the opposition parties.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-29|title=Bihar election gets a new political constituency - over 16 lakh migrant workers|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-election-gets-a-new-political-constituency-over-16-lakh-migrant-workers/story-M8XiwWwydN5rW6pBvITqLL.html|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-25|title=Covid to flood: Tracing issues that may impact Bihar polls|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid-to-flood-tracing-issues-that-may-impact-bihar-polls/story-iLMMRQkSn0OPq1cCKaC6YN.html|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006054247/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid-to-flood-tracing-issues-that-may-impact-bihar-polls/story-iLMMRQkSn0OPq1cCKaC6YN.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The limited digital connectivity in Bihar and the [[Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic|migrant crisis]] were among the issues which may have had an impact on campaigning and poll outcomes.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Ashish|date=August 28, 2020|title=Deep Dive: Nitish Kumar's road to Bihar throne passes through migrant belt|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/deep-dive-nitish-kumar-s-road-to-bihar-throne-passes-through-migrant-belt-1716251-2020-08-28|access-date=2020-10-13|website=India Today|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718060305/https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/deep-dive-nitish-kumar-s-road-to-bihar-throne-passes-through-migrant-belt-1716251-2020-08-28|url-status=live}}</ref>

The death of the former [[Lok Janshakti Party]] president and union cabinet minister, [[Ram Vilas Paswan]] on 8 October 2020 was also speculated to have an effect on the prospects of the competing parties.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Singh|first1=Santosh|last2=Ghose|first2=Dipankar|date=2020-10-09|title=Ram Vilas Paswan's death will cast a shadow on Bihar elections|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ram-vilas-paswan-death-will-cast-a-shadow-on-bihar-elections-6716597/|access-date=2020-10-10|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011161253/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ram-vilas-paswan-death-will-cast-a-shadow-on-bihar-elections-6716597/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was reported that the [[BJP]] accorded special focus on the politically significant [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]] which comprises 22 of the 38 [[districts of Bihar|districts of the state]] including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Samastipur.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 25, 2020|first=Kumar Shakti|last=Shekhar|title=Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129184825/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Schedule==

On 25 September, Election Commission of India announced the dates for Bihar Assembly elections.<ref>{{~~cite~~Cite news |date=2020-09-25 |title=Three-phase voting, results on Nov 10: What's new about Bihar elections ~~web~~|url=https://~~www.~~timesofindia.indiatimes.com/~~india~~elections/~~bihar-~~assembly-elections/bihar/polls-~~nitish~~during-~~kumar~~pandemic-~~tejashwi~~whats-~~yadav~~new-~~live~~about-~~updates~~bihar-elections/~~amp_liveblog~~articleshow/~~78288550~~78311906.~~html~~cms |~~title~~access-date=~~Bihar assembly elections live updates: 3~~2024-~~phase Bihar polls on Oct 28,~~07-18 ~~Nov 3 and Nov 7~~|~~website~~work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2521 ~~September~~August ~~2020}}{{dead~~2022 ~~link~~|~~date~~archive-url=~~April~~https://web.archive.org/web/20220821080345/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/polls-during-pandemic-whats-new-about-bihar-elections/articleshow/78311906.cms ~~2024~~|~~bot~~url-status=~~medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic~~live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

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== Parties and Alliances==

=== [[National Democratic Alliance]] ===

The [[National Democratic Alliance]] in Bihar is the ruling political group headed by the chief minister [[Nitish Kumar]] and comprising primarily the [[Janata Dal (United)]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in the legislative assembly.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-04-30|title=It is the CM's duty to bring back stranded students, says Bihar BJP leader|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/it-is-the-cms-duty-to-bring-back-stranded-students-says-bihar-bjp-leader/article31467733.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001721/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/it-is-the-cms-duty-to-bring-back-stranded-students-says-bihar-bjp-leader/article31467733.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the previous election, the alliance was led by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] alongside three smaller allies namely the [[Lok Janshakti Party]], the [[Rashtriya Lok Samta Party]] and the [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]], while the [[Janata Dal (United)]] had contested as part of the current opposition [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandan]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Sinha|first=Arjun|date=10 November 2015|title=From lousy rallies to inept partners, the six charts that explain Modi's decimation in Bihar|url=https://qz.com/india/544758/from-ill-conceived-rallies-to-inept-partners-the-six-charts-that-explain-modis-decimation-in-bihar/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Quartz India|archive-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612184806/https://qz.com/india/544758/from-ill-conceived-rallies-to-inept-partners-the-six-charts-that-explain-modis-decimation-in-bihar/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Varma|first=Gyan|date=2015-11-08|title=Bihar results: Social arithmetic, quota comments seen behind BJP's failure|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/1pOz3HPgOrKZDdpfrrbcNK/Bihar-results-Social-arithmetic-quota-comments-seen-behind.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Livemint|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155838/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/1pOz3HPgOrKZDdpfrrbcNK/Bihar-results-Social-arithmetic-quota-comments-seen-behind.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the [[Janata Dal (United)]] switched alliance which caused the Mahagathbandan government to fall and the National Democratic Alliance came to power.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=Bhaskar|first=Utpal|date=2019-05-27|title=Lok Sabha win gives a 2nd wind to JD(U) for assembly polls, NDA in pole position|url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/lok-sabha-win-gives-a-2nd-wind-to-jd-u-for-assembly-polls-nda-in-pole-position-1558958108966.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Livemint|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718060316/https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/lok-sabha-win-gives-a-2nd-wind-to-jd-u-for-assembly-polls-nda-in-pole-position-1558958108966.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, two of the partners, the [[Rashtriya Lok Samta Party|Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]] and the [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]] left the alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Prakash|date=2018-12-10|title=Jolt to NDA; Kushwaha resigns as Union minister|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/rlsp-president-upendra-707313.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Deccan Herald|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921102907/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/rlsp-president-upendra-707313.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|date=2018-02-28|title=Jitam Ram Manjhi quits NDA, set to join 'Mahagathbandhan'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jitan-ram-manjhi-nda-mahagathbandhan-grand-alliance-nda-ham-5081198/|website=The Indian Express|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012052623/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jitan-ram-manjhi-nda-mahagathbandhan-grand-alliance-nda-ham-5081198/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the campaigning phase in August 2020, the alliance was re-joined by the [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]] which held one seat in the legislature.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-09-02|title=Manjhi's HAM(S) joins NDA|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/former-bihar-chief-minister-manjhis-party-to-join-nda-on-sept-3/article32501850.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003121248/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/former-bihar-chief-minister-manjhis-party-to-join-nda-on-sept-3/article32501850.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the alliance was also joined in by the [[Vikassheel Insaan Party]] in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 October 2020|title=BJP spares 11 seats to associate partner VIP from its quota in Bihar polls|work=The Week|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2020/10/07/cal8-bh-poll-bjp-vip.html|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009191943/https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2020/10/07/cal8-bh-poll-bjp-vip.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The campaign however faced problems with persistent attacks on the Janata Dal (United) by the Lok Janshakti Party.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Abhay|date=2020-03-08|title=Why is Nitish Kumar miffed with ally Chirag Paswan?|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/why-is-nitish-kumar-miffed-with-ally-chirag-paswan-811846.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jeelani|first=Gulam|date=7 September 2020|title=Bihar elections: Paswans flex muscles as Nitish launches virtual poll campaign|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/bihar-elections-paswans-flex-muscles-as-nitish-launches-virtual-poll-campaign-5805991.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Moneycontrol|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718060309/https://www.moneycontrol.com/europe/?url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/policy/bihar-elections-paswans-flex-muscles-as-nitish-launches-virtual-poll-campaign-5805991.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chirag Paswan]], the leader of the party in the state was called to Delhi to negotiate with the national leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the end the Lok Janshakti Party quit the alliance stating that they would contest all seats against the Janata Dal (United) but not against the Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-04|title=Bihar elections: LJP to contest against all JD(U) candidates but still 'support BJP'|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-election-nda-bjp-jdu-ljp-seat-sharing-6700395/|website=The Indian Express|access-date=4 October 2020|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006231544/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-election-nda-bjp-jdu-ljp-seat-sharing-6700395/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nair|first=Sobhana K.|date=2020-10-02|title=Bihar Assembly election {{!}} LJP to go it alone, but backs Narendra Modi|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-assembly-election-ljp-to-go-it-alone-but-backs-narendra-modi/article32751042.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007182027/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bihar-assembly-election-ljp-to-go-it-alone-but-backs-narendra-modi/article32751042.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the development, several notable leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party including the state vice president and 2 sitting legislators joined the Lok Janshakti Party to contest against Janata Dal (United) candidates.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-13|title=Bihar BJP expels 9 leaders including rebels contesting on LJP tickets|work=Business Standard India|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/bihar-bjp-expels-9-leaders-including-rebels-contesting-on-ljp-tickets-120101201469_1.html|access-date=13 October 2020|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718060307/https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/bihar-bjp-expels-9-leaders-including-rebels-contesting-on-ljp-tickets-120101201469_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Aditya|date=2020-10-06|title=Hidden Deal in Bihar Polls? BJP Leaders to Contest on LJP Tickets|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/bjp-ljp-rajendra-singh-rameshwar-chaurasia-bihar-assembly-elections-2020|access-date=2020-10-13|website=The Quint|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009033335/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/bjp-ljp-rajendra-singh-rameshwar-chaurasia-bihar-assembly-elections-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Later during the campaigning period in October 2020, the Bharatiya Janata Party officially cut ties with the Lok Janshakti Party stating that the National Democratic Alliances in Bihar consisted of the four parties.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Explained: What constitutes NDA in Bihar and what is its social composition and USP?|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/explained-bihar-oct-12-what-constitutes-nda-in-bihar-its-social-composition-usp-6721619/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012222606/https://indianexpress.com/elections/explained-bihar-oct-12-what-constitutes-nda-in-bihar-its-social-composition-usp-6721619/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Swaroop|first=Vijay|date=2020-10-12|editor-last=Saxena|editor-first=Sparshita|title=Bihar assembly polls: BJP faces hard time clearing air about LJP's status in NDA|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-polls-bjp-faces-hard-time-clearing-air-about-ljp-s-status-in-nda/story-BspnxII5lDkkJOmZoD7rVO.html|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013145507/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-polls-bjp-faces-hard-time-clearing-air-about-ljp-s-status-in-nda/story-BspnxII5lDkkJOmZoD7rVO.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=2020-10-11|title=LJP affiliates want Chirag Paswan in Modi cabinet after dad's death, BJP says it's PM's call|url=https://theprint.in/politics/ljp-affiliates-want-chirag-paswan-in-modi-cabinet-after-dads-death-bjp-says-its-pms-call/521427/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=The Print}}</ref>

According to political analysts the Lok Janshakti Party was unlikely to make any electoral gains but would act as spoilers for the Janata Dal (United) candidates,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Aditya|date=2020-10-05|title=Bihar Elections: LJP's Move Can Alter Poll Equations. Here's How|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/lok-janshakti-party-chirag-paswan-nitish-kumar-bihar-assembly-elections-2|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Quint|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009162847/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/lok-janshakti-party-chirag-paswan-nitish-kumar-bihar-assembly-elections-2|url-status=live}}</ref> the development was suggested to have been orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party to gain leverage over the Janata Dal (United) by reducing its final tally.{{Refn|<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Downsizing Nitish|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/bihar-elections-ljp-bjp-jdu-nitish-kumar-6704351/|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Umesh Kumar|date=5 October 2020|title=Bihar Elections: What the LJP Hopes to Achieve By Walking Out of the NDA|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-chirag-paswan-nitish-kumar-ljp-jdu-bjp|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Wire|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009143308/https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-chirag-paswan-nitish-kumar-ljp-jdu-bjp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Aditya|date=2020-10-06|title=Hidden Deal in Bihar Polls? BJP Leaders to Contest on LJP Tickets|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/bjp-ljp-rajendra-singh-rameshwar-chaurasia-bihar-assembly-elections-2020|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Quint|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009033335/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/bjp-ljp-rajendra-singh-rameshwar-chaurasia-bihar-assembly-elections-2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Arun|date=2020-10-05|title=Bihar Assembly Election 2020: LJP move to go solo could prove to be a double-edged sword|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-election-2020-ljp-move-to-go-solo-could-prove-to-be-a-double-edged-sword/story-ppD8wNX7I735q2oCMvtj0J.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>}} The Bharatiya Janata Party at the time re-asserted that Nitish Kumar would remain the chief ministerial face of the alliance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Law Kumar|date=7 October 2020|title=Bihar Elections 2020: Nitish is NDA's CM candidate, no ifs or buts, LJP told|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bihar-elections-2020-nitish-is-ndas-cm-candidate-no-ifs-or-buts-ljp-told|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Free Press Journal|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010121419/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bihar-elections-2020-nitish-is-ndas-cm-candidate-no-ifs-or-buts-ljp-told|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=2020-10-06|title=Drama before BJP-JD(U) press meet, message to LJP loud and clear — Nitish is NDA's CM face|url=https://theprint.in/politics/drama-before-bjp-jdu-press-meet-message-to-ljp-loud-and-clear-nitish-is-ndas-cm-face/518270/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Print}}</ref>

Both the Lok Janshakti Party and the Janata Dal (United) are expected to hold sway among certain sections of [[Scheduled caste]] voters while the Bharatiya Janta Party are expected to draws its support base from [[Forward caste]] voters.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Law Kumar|date=7 October 2020|title=Who will undermine whom in Bihar?|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/who-will-undermine-whom-in-bihar|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Free Press Journal|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008225407/https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/who-will-undermine-whom-in-bihar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Sanjay|date=2020-10-06|title=What separates Bihar's politics from UP's|url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/what-separates-bihar-s-politics-from-up-s-11601969555963.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Livemint|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415234444/https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/what-separates-bihar-s-politics-from-up-s-11601969555963.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Janata Dal (United) though relied upon its core voters by giving importance to its [[Luv-Kush equation]] in ticket distribution, also gave good representation to the forward castes and EBCs. For 115 seats which it contested 17 forward caste were given party tickets while the Koeri and Kurmi candidates got 17 and 7 seats respectively. The EBCs on the other hand contested on 21 seats out of 115.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-elections-jdu-strategy-focus-on-core-base-bid-to-woo-others-too-6709024/|title=JD(U) strategy: Focus on core base, bid to woo others too|website=Indian Express|date=8 October 2020|access-date=2020-11-03|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010235540/https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-elections-jdu-strategy-focus-on-core-base-bid-to-woo-others-too-6709024/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

! No.

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|[[File:Nitish Kumar (cropped).JPG|63x63px]]

|[[Nitish Kumar]]

|115<ref>{{Cite web|last=Swarup|first=Vijay|date=2020-10-06|title=Bihar assembly election 2020: NDA seat-sharing pact sealed, Nitish Kumar jabs ex-ally Chirag Paswan|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-election-2020-nda-seat-sharing-pact-sealed-nitish-kumar-jabs-ex-ally-chirag-paswan/story-POiVHX86FM7UKEXWEE1LaM.html|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007035217/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-election-2020-nda-seat-sharing-pact-sealed-nitish-kumar-jabs-ex-ally-chirag-paswan/story-POiVHX86FM7UKEXWEE1LaM.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center; background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}};color:white" |'''2.'''

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|[[File:Lotos flower symbol.svg|50x50px]]

|[[Sanjay Jaiswal]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gyan Varma|first=Anuja|date=2020-10-07|title=JD(U), BJP seal Bihar seat-sharing deal; Nitish to lead front|url=https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/jd-u-bjp-seal-bihar-seat-sharing-deal-nitish-to-lead-front-11602038576441.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Livemint|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008150530/https://www.livemint.com/elections/assembly-elections/jd-u-bjp-seal-bihar-seat-sharing-deal-nitish-to-lead-front-11602038576441.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

|110<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|date=7 October 2020|title=BJP spares 11 seats to associate partner VIP from its quota in Bihar polls|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/bjp-spares-11-seats-to-associate-partner-vip-from-its-quota-in-bihar-polls/1950780|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Outlook India|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009024658/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/bjp-spares-11-seats-to-associate-partner-vip-from-its-quota-in-bihar-polls/1950780|url-status=live}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center; background:{{party color|Vikassheel Insaan Party}};color:white" |'''3.'''

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| style="text-align:center; background:{{party color|Lok Janshakti Party}};color:white" |'''5.'''

|[[Lok Janshakti Party]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Dipak|date=2020-10-11|title=LJP affiliates want Chirag Paswan in Modi cabinet after dad's death, BJP says it's PM's call|url=https://theprint.in/politics/ljp-affiliates-want-chirag-paswan-in-modi-cabinet-after-dads-death-bjp-says-its-pms-call/521427/|access-date=2020-10-17|website=ThePrint|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011191602/https://theprint.in/politics/ljp-affiliates-want-chirag-paswan-in-modi-cabinet-after-dads-death-bjp-says-its-pms-call/521427/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghargi|first=Arti|date=2020-10-16|title=LJP Trying To Mislead By Naming BJP's Top Leadership: Prakash Javadekar|url=https://hwnews.in/bihar-election-2020/ljp-trying-to-mislead-by-naming-bjps-top-leadership-prakash-javadekar/145548|access-date=2020-10-17|website=HW English|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101193128/https://hwnews.in/bihar-election-2020/ljp-trying-to-mislead-by-naming-bjps-top-leadership-prakash-javadekar/145548|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[File:Lok Janshakti Party Flag.svg|border|50x50px]]

|[[File:Indian Election Symbol Bungalow.png|50x50px]]

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=== [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] ===

The Mahagathbandhan is the main opposition political coalition comprising primarily the [[United Progressive Alliance]] members [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] and [[Indian National Congress]] along with left–wing parties such as CPI and CPI (M).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Abhay|date=2020-06-10|title=Ahead of Bihar polls, Mahagathbandhan may dump three of its allies|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/ahead-of-bihar-polls-mahagathbandhan-may-dump-three-of-its-allies-847850.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Deccan Herald|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002191722/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/ahead-of-bihar-polls-mahagathbandhan-may-dump-three-of-its-allies-847850.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Naqshbandi|first=Aurangazeb|date=2020-10-02|title=RJD-Congress close to sealing seat talks in Bihar, announcement soon|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/rjd-congress-close-to-sealing-seat-talks-in-bihar-announcement-soon/story-LUwcdIct6OIwXBbO8jcRDP.html|access-date=2020-10-08|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008151405/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/rjd-congress-close-to-sealing-seat-talks-in-bihar-announcement-soon/story-LUwcdIct6OIwXBbO8jcRDP.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the previous election, the Mahagathbandhan formed and initially comprised the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], the Janata Dal (United) and the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref name=":12" /> It was able to form government following the election but the government fell when the Janata Dal (United) switched sides and joined the National Democratic Alliance.<ref name=":10" /> In the opposition, the alliance was joined in by smaller parties like the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party, the Hindustan Awami Morcha and the Vikassheel Insaan Party.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-12-20|title=RLSP chief Kushwaha joins UPA in Bihar, becomes part of Mahagathbandhan|work=Business Standard India|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/rlsp-s-upendra-kushwaha-joins-upa-in-bihar-becomes-part-of-mahagathbandhan-118122000664_1.html|access-date=2020-10-07|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914014126/https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/rlsp-s-upendra-kushwaha-joins-upa-in-bihar-becomes-part-of-mahagathbandhan-118122000664_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":16" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Manish|date=23 December 2018|title=कौन हैं ये मुकेश साहनी जो कह रहे हैं 'माछ भात खाएंगे महागठबंधन को जिताएंगे'|trans-title=Who is this Mukesh Sahani saying "will eat Fish-Rice and give victory to Mahagathbandan"|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/bihar/mukesh-sahni-aka-son-of-mallah-joins-mahagathbandhan-in-bihar-1967031|access-date=2020-10-07|website=NDTV India|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008214246/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/bihar/mukesh-sahni-aka-son-of-mallah-joins-mahagathbandhan-in-bihar-1967031|url-status=dead}}</ref> The three parties however opted out of the alliance between August–October 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-25|title=Pappu Yadav promises corruption-free Bihar in six months|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pappu-yadav-promises-corruption-free-bihar-in-six-months/article32690228.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003083003/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/pappu-yadav-promises-corruption-free-bihar-in-six-months/article32690228.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Swaroop|first=Vijay|date=2020-08-20|title=Jitan Ram Manjhi-led HAM-S exits Grand Alliance ahead of Bihar assembly polls|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jitan-ram-manjhi-led-ham-s-exits-grand-alliance-ahead-of-bihar-assembly-polls/story-bpSf73W79DRHV3yUJoCiZO.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007204442/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jitan-ram-manjhi-led-ham-s-exits-grand-alliance-ahead-of-bihar-assembly-polls/story-bpSf73W79DRHV3yUJoCiZO.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=महागठबंधन में टूट: कॉन्फ्रेंस में बोले VIP चीफ - पीठ में छुरा मारा|trans-title=Break in Mahagathbandan: VIP chief in conference says backstabbed|url=https://hindi.thequint.com/elections/bihar-elections/bihar-election-2020-mukesh-sahni-vikassheel-insaan-party-quits-rjd-congress-mahagathbandhan|access-date=2020-10-07|website=TheQuint|language=hi|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061403/https://hindi.thequint.com/elections/bihar-election/bihar-election-2020-mukesh-sahni-vikassheel-insaan-party-quits-rjd-congress-mahagathbandhan|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, the [[Samajwadi Party]] which had contested in previous elections in Bihar without success, declared that they would not contest this time and instead support the Rashtriya Janata Dal.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-23|title=SP to support RJD in Bihar polls|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/sp-to-support-rjd-in-bihar-polls/article32675348.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061353/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/sp-to-support-rjd-in-bihar-polls/article61703500.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the meantime, the alliance after negotiations were joined in by the left–wing parties in Bihar; namely the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation]], the [[Communist Party of India]] and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Verma|first=Nalin|date=29 August 2020|title=Will an RJD-Congress-Left Alliance Ride the Anti-Incumbency Wave in Bihar?|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-rjd-congress-left-alliance|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Wire|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009013958/https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-rjd-congress-left-alliance|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Nair|first=Sobhana K.|date=2020-09-26|title=Bihar Assembly elections {{!}} Mahagatbandhan narrows down its seat sharing formula|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/bihar-assembly-elections-mahagatbandhan-narrows-down-its-seat-sharing-formula/article32704026.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061404/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/bihar-assembly-elections-mahagatbandhan-narrows-down-its-seat-sharing-formula/article61702079.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The new arrangement was described as an experiment beyond the caste based politics in Bihar with a caste plus class strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tiwari|first=Amitabh|date=2020-10-07|title=Bihar Polls 2020: Will Tejashwi's 'Caste-Class' Strategy Succeed?|url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-tejashwi-yadav-caste-class-voter-base-nitish-kumar-bjp-jdu|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Quint|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013053227/https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-tejashwi-yadav-caste-class-voter-base-nitish-kumar-bjp-jdu|url-status=live}}</ref> The communist parties in Bihar had historically held a large presence in the state that was reduced following the [[Mandal Commission]], the Liberation group had retained some of its former base and had emerged as the largest non alliance party in the previous election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Verma|first=Nalin|date=26 August 2020|title=Will an RJD-Congress-Left Alliance Ride the Anti-Incumbency Wave in Bihar?|url=https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-rjd-congress-left-alliance|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Wire|archive-date=9 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009013958/https://thewire.in/politics/bihar-elections-rjd-congress-left-alliance|url-status=live}}</ref>

The seat sharing agreement was finalised on 3 October 2020 with the [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]] included in the alliance.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-10-03|title=Bihar Assembly elections {{!}} Mahagathbandhan seals seat-sharing deal|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/bihar-assembly-elections-mahagathbandhan-clinches-seat-sharing-deal/article32760480.ece|access-date=2020-10-07|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 7 October, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha opted out of the alliance in Bihar over disagreements on seat sharing while maintaining that they will continue to uphold their alliance in the state of [[Jharkhand]].<ref name="Mazumdar">{{Cite web|last=Mazumdar|first=Gautam|date=2020-10-06|title=JMM to go solo in Bihar polls, accuses RJD of 'political betrayal'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/jmm-to-go-solo-in-bihar-polls-accuses-rjd-of-political-betrayal/story-N9syF9hSpcCnWK6sD2t6KK.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007035758/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/jmm-to-go-solo-in-bihar-polls-accuses-rjd-of-political-betrayal/story-N9syF9hSpcCnWK6sD2t6KK.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

! No.

Line 273 ⟶ 272:

|[[Tejashwi Yadav]]

|144<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar polls: Tejashwi announces Grand Alliance's seat-sharing deal, Congress to contest from 70 seats|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|access-date=2020-10-03|website=The Indian Express|date=3 October 2020|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326035411/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| style="text-align:center; background:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};color:white" |'''2.'''

Line 310 ⟶ 309:

===[[Grand Democratic Secular Front]]===

In the wake of the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election, Upendra Kushwaha pulled the party out of the [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] led [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] (Grand Alliance).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=Bihar polls: Tejashwi announces Grand Alliance's seat-sharing deal, Congress to contest from 70 seats|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=3 October 2020|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326035411/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-elections-opposition-alliance-rjd-144-congress-70-left-29-6685968/|url-status=live}}</ref> The party entered into an alliance with the [[Uttar Pradesh]] based [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] and the minor [[Janvadi Party (Socialist)]];<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 September 2020|title=Upendra Kushwaha's Key Aide Quits Over New Alliance With Mayawati's Party|work=[[NDTV]]|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]]|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/upendra-kushwahas-key-aide-quits-over-new-alliance-with-mayawatis-party-2303428?amp=1&akamai-rum=off|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930195402/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/upendra-kushwahas-key-aide-quits-over-new-alliance-with-mayawatis-party-2303428?amp=1&akamai-rum=off|url-status=live}}</ref> The UDSA consisted of the [[Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic]] led by the veteran socialist [[Devendra Prasad Yadav]] and the [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 September 2020|title=Turncoats have a field day in poll-bound Bihar|work=Livemint|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/turncoats-have-a-field-day-in-poll-bound-bihar-11601308455102.html|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120230951/https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/turncoats-have-a-field-day-in-poll-bound-bihar-11601308455102.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 October 2020, the UDSA and the three party front including the Bahujan Samaj Party were merged into a single coalition called the [[Grand Democratic Secular Front]] (GDSF), the alliance additionally included the [[Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Law Kumar|date=9 October 2020|title=Yet another election front formed in Bihar|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/yet-another-election-front-formed-in-bihar|access-date=2020-10-09|website=The Free Press Journal|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012184838/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/yet-another-election-front-formed-in-bihar|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite news|date=8 October 2020|title=Asaduddin Owaisi, Upendra Kushwaha Form Front Of 6 Parties For Bihar Polls|work=NDTV|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaduddin-owaisi-upendra-kushwaha-form-front-of-6-parties-for-bihar-polls-2307317|access-date=9 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008231802/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/asaduddin-owaisi-upendra-kushwaha-form-front-of-6-parties-for-bihar-polls-2307317|url-status=live}}</ref> Among the constituent parties, only the [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]] had representation in the assembly through a single legislator.<ref name=":17" />

{| class="wikitable"

! No.

Line 326 ⟶ 325:

|[[File:The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Upendra Kushwaha addressing at the inauguration of the “Summer Fiesta”, in New Delhi on May 22, 2018.JPG|64x64px]]

|[[Upendra Kushwaha]]

|104<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anshuman |first=Kumar |title=Mayawati's open support to BJP spells setback for grand secular democratic front in Bihar |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mayawatis-open-support-to-bjp-spells-setback-for-grand-secular-democratic-front-in-bihar/articleshow/78957355.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-06-11 |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611093519/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mayawatis-open-support-to-bjp-spells-setback-for-grand-secular-democratic-front-in-bihar/articleshow/78957355.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

| style="text-align:center; background:{{party color|Bahujan Samaj Party}};color:white" |'''2.'''

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=== Others ===

There ~~are~~were a number of other smaller parties and coalitions contesting the election,<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|last=Raj|first=Dev|date=2 October 2020|title=Alliances are raining down on poll-season Bihar|work=Telegraph India|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/alliances-are-raining-down-on-poll-season-bihar/cid/1793638}}</ref> the prospects and impact of these formations have been noted to be marginal.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Arun|date=2020-10-02|title=Bihar Assembly Election 2020: NDA vs GA contest shrinks space for smaller parties, new alliances|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-election-2020-nda-vs-ga-contest-shrinks-space-for-smaller-parties-new-alliances/story-nuVs9BC9IbXhPro9pPhG5H.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007174726/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-assembly-election-2020-nda-vs-ga-contest-shrinks-space-for-smaller-parties-new-alliances/story-nuVs9BC9IbXhPro9pPhG5H.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As of January 2020, there were 120 [[unrecognised registered parties]] in Bihar.<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Explained: Apart from NDA and MGB, what other alliances are in the poll fray in Bihar?|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/explained-apart-from-nda-and-mahagathbandhan-what-other-alliances-are-in-the-poll-fray-in-bihar-6724438/|access-date=2020-10-14|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017015513/https://indianexpress.com/elections/explained-apart-from-nda-and-mahagathbandhan-what-other-alliances-are-in-the-poll-fray-in-bihar-6724438/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 October 2020, there were reportedly four other noteworthy alliances that had emerged; [[Progressive Democratic Alliance (Bihar)|Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA)]], United Democratic Alliance (UDA). PDA consisted of [[Pappu Yadav]]'s [[Jan Adhikar Party]], [[Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan|Chandrashekhar Azad]]'s Azad Samaj Party, [[Social Democratic Party of India]] and [[Bahujan Mukti Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Swaroop|first=Vijay|date=2020-10-05|title=Political expediency changing faces of electoral alliances in Bihar|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/political-expediency-changing-faces-of-electoral-alliances-in-bihar/story-wfSvmNF4TsLfk205vZTGPK.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007195957/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/political-expediency-changing-faces-of-electoral-alliances-in-bihar/story-wfSvmNF4TsLfk205vZTGPK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The UDA consisted of a front of 20 parties collectively led by the former Bharatiya Janata Party cabinet minister [[Yashwant Sinha]] and other transiently popular mass leaders.<ref name=":14" />

The newly formed [[Plurals Party|The Plurals Party (TPP, दप्पा)]] is also ~~contesting~~contested the election in 2020 on all 243 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranjan|first=Abhinav|date=2020-10-15|title=Who is Pushpam Priya Choudhary? The UK return girl who aspires to become Chief Minister of Bihar|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/who-is-pushpam-priya-choudhary-who-announced-herself-to-be-a-cm-candidate-in-bihar-election-2020-657248|access-date=2020-11-11|website=www.indiatvnews.com|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101110543/https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/who-is-pushpam-priya-choudhary-who-announced-herself-to-be-a-cm-candidate-in-bihar-election-2020-657248|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the meantime, the UDA which was the front led by Yashwant Sinha had reportedly fallen apart as various members of the constituent parties had defected to join the mainstream regional and national parties.<ref name=":13" /> Other notable parties that ~~are contesting~~contested independent of an alliance, are the Lok Janshakti Party on 134 seats, the [[Loktantrik Janata Dal]] on 51 seats, the [[Shiv Sena]] on 30–40 seats and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on 7 seats.<ref name="indianexpress.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2020|title=Sharad Yadav's LJD to contest 51 seats in Bihar polls alone|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/sharad-yadavs-ljd-to-contest-51-seats-in-bihar-polls-alone/articleshow/78624822.cms|access-date=2020-10-12|website=The Times of India|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013021758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/sharad-yadavs-ljd-to-contest-51-seats-in-bihar-polls-alone/articleshow/78624822.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=5 October 2020|title=Shiv Sena May Contest 30-40 Seats In Bihar Assembly Polls: MP Sanjay Raut|work=NDTV|agency=Press Trust of India|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shiv-sena-may-contest-30-40-seats-in-bihar-assembly-polls-mp-sanjay-raut-2305546|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061354/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shiv-sena-may-contest-30-40-seats-in-bihar-assembly-polls-mp-sanjay-raut-2305546|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Mazumdar"/>

==Candidates==

Line 752 ⟶ 751:

| bgcolor=#003366|

|[[JD(U)]]

|[[Mina Kumari]]

~~|Meena Kamat~~

| bgcolor=#008000|

|[[RJD]]

Line 1,418 ⟶ 1,417:

| bgcolor=#003366|

|[[JD(U)]]

|[[Ashok Kumar Choudhary]]

| bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 1,809 ⟶ 1,808:

| bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

|[[Pratima Kumari Das]]

| bgcolor=#0093DD|

|[[Lok Janshakti Party|LJP]]

Line 1,924 ⟶ 1,923:

| bgcolor=#FF9933|

|[[BJP]]

|[[Rajesh Kumar Singh (Bihar ~~Politician~~politician)|Rajesh Singh]]

| bgcolor=#008000|

|[[RJD]]

Line 2,761 ⟶ 2,760:

| bgcolor=#008000|

|[[RJD]]

|[[Anita Devi (politician)|Anita Devi]]

| bgcolor=#0093DD|

|[[Lok Janshakti Party|LJP]]

Line 2,934 ⟶ 2,933:

| bgcolor=#008000|

|[[RJD]]

|[[Manju Agrawal]]

| bgcolor=#0093DD|

|[[Lok Janshakti Party|LJP]]

Line 3,163 ⟶ 3,162:

| 3-5

| style="background: grey; color:white" |{{nowrap|HUNG}}

| rowspan="1" | <ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Republic TV Jan ki Baat Exit poll result: Tejashwi Yadav trumps Nitish Kumar|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-republic-tv-jan-ki-baat-exit-poll-result-tejashwi-yadav-trumps-nitish-kumar-2855070|access-date=2020-11-07|website=DNAIndia.com|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061858/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-republic-tv-jan-ki-baat-exit-poll-result-tejashwi-yadav-trumps-nitish-kumar-2855070|url-status=live}}</ref>

Line 3,172 ⟶ 3,171:

| 5

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''12 '''

| rowspan="1" | <ref name="sites.google.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sites.google.com/view/patvot/surveys/bihar-2020|title = Bihar20 - BIHAR SURVEY 2020|access-date=7 September 2021|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907171832/https://www.sites.google.com/view/patvot/surveys/bihar-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Line 3,181 ⟶ 3,180:

| 8

| style="background:{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}" |'''58'''

|rowspan = "1" |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar Election Today's Chanakya Exit Poll 2020: Mahagathbandhan will win 180 seats, NDA 55 and others 8, pollster projects|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-elections-2020-exit-polls-result-latest-updates-today-s-chanakya/story-4IlrvyPUzn3Rr1Sp68CtcI.html|access-date=2020-11-09|website=hindustantimes.com|date=7 November 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109064213/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-elections-2020-exit-polls-result-latest-updates-today-s-chanakya/story-4IlrvyPUzn3Rr1Sp68CtcI.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar Assembly Election 2020 Exit Poll, Bihar Chunav 2020 Opinion Polls|url=https://hindi.news18.com//assembly-election-2020/bihar-chunav/exit-poll-result/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=News18 India|language=hi|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113142510/https://hindi.news18.com//assembly-election-2020/bihar-chunav/exit-poll-result/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| P-Marq (Politique Marquer

Line 3,189 ⟶ 3,188:

| 0-10

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''8-31 '''

| rowspan="1" |[https://telugu.news18.com/news/national/political-marque-is-the-only-pollster-predict-the-bihar-elections-2020-details-here-ms-658442.html]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-07|title=#SudarshanExitPoll NDA coming in royal style in Bihar. Modi wave continues, Yogi's confidence and Nitish's power|url=https://www.sudarshannews.in/now-result-came-out-in-bihar-elections-8875-newsdetails.aspx|access-date=2020-11-07|website=SudarshanNews.in|language=en, hi|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108044825/https://www.sudarshannews.in/now-result-came-out-in-bihar-elections-8875-newsdetails.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Times Now-CVoter

Line 3,197 ⟶ 3,196:

| style="background: grey; color:white" |{{nowrap|HUNG}}

| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-07|title=Clean Sweep to Neck & Neck: What Each Exit Poll Says for Bihar|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/cvoter-my-axis-india-jan-ki-baat-bihar-exit-polls-predictions-tejashwi-yadav-nitish-kumar-nda-mahagathbandhan-all-surveys|access-date=2020-11-09|website=TheQuint|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108015406/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/cvoter-my-axis-india-jan-ki-baat-bihar-exit-polls-predictions-tejashwi-yadav-nitish-kumar-nda-mahagathbandhan-all-surveys|url-status=live}}</ref>

|India Ahead - [[ETG Research]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar exit polls give CM chair to Tejashwi Yadav, predict 'early retirement' for Nitish Kumar|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/bihar/article/bihar-exit-poll-november-7-2020-results/678771|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref>

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| colspan="2" | 5-13

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''13-37'''

|<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-24|title=Bihar Elections ABP-CVoter Opinion Poll Highlights: JDU-BJP Set To Rule Bihar Again; Projected To Win 135-159 Seats, RJD+ Likely To Bag 77-98 Seats|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/bihar-election-opinion-poll-live-updates-abp-cvoter-opinion-poll-who-will-win-bihar-assembly-elections-seatwise-opinion-poll-results-1372139|access-date=2020-11-01|website=news.abplive.com|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026112635/https://news.abplive.com/news/india/bihar-election-opinion-poll-live-updates-abp-cvoter-opinion-poll-who-will-win-bihar-assembly-elections-seatwise-opinion-poll-results-1372139|url-status=live}}</ref>

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|Colspan=2| 8-16

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''11-21'''

|<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=ओपिनियन पोलः बिहार में NDA को स्पष्ट बहुमत, सौ के भीतर सिमट सकता है महागठबंधन|url=https://www.aajtak.in/elections/bihar-assembly-elections/story/lokniti-csds-bihar-opinion-poll-on-aajtak-india-today-bihar-assembly-elections-2020-majority-nda-grand-alliance-seat-1148798-2020-10-20|access-date=2020-11-01|website=Aaj Tak|date=20 October 2020 |language=hi|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026045413/https://www.aajtak.in/elections/bihar-assembly-elections/story/lokniti-csds-bihar-opinion-poll-on-aajtak-india-today-bihar-assembly-elections-2020-majority-nda-grand-alliance-seat-1148798-2020-10-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

|12 October 2020

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|Colspan=2| 7

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''39'''

|<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bihar election opinion polls: NDA projected to win 160 seats; BJP to emerge as single-largest party - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-election-opinion-polls-nda-likely-to-secure-160-seats-bjp-to-emerge-as-single-largest-party/articleshow/78624118.cms|access-date=2020-10-12|website=The Times of India|date=12 October 2020|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102171257/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-election-opinion-polls-nda-likely-to-secure-160-seats-bjp-to-emerge-as-single-largest-party/articleshow/78624118.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

|25 September 2020

Line 3,262 ⟶ 3,261:

|Colspan=2| 13-23

| style="background:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |'''20–40'''

|<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-25|title=Bihar Elections 2020 ABP Opinion Poll: Bihar Wants Nitish Kumar As CM Again, Huge Win Predicted For NDA|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/bihar-elections-2020-abp-opinion-poll-nda-likely-to-win-big-nitish-kumar-looks-set-for-fourth-term-1348381|access-date=2020-09-30|website=news.abplive.com|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927133202/https://news.abplive.com/news/india/bihar-elections-2020-abp-opinion-poll-nda-likely-to-win-big-nitish-kumar-looks-set-for-fourth-term-1348381|url-status=live}}</ref>

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[[File: Polling official administering indelible ink to a voter, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election, at New Madhya Vidyalaya, in Gaya, Bihar on October 28, 2020.jpg|thumb|Polling official administering indelible ink to a voter, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election, at New Madhya Vidyalaya, in Gaya, Bihar on October 28, 2020.]]

[[File: Voters standing in the queue to cast their votes, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election, at New Madhya Vidyalaya, in Gaya, Bihar on October 28, 2020.jpg|thumb|Voters standing in the queue to cast their votes, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election, at New Madhya Vidyalaya, in Gaya, Bihar on October 28, 2020.]]

The [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]], [[Sunil Arora]], announced on 25 September 2020 that the Bihar assembly election will be held from 28 October 2020, in three phases for 243 constituencies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar Votes In 3 Phases, Starting October 28, Results On November 10|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-election-on-october-28-november-3-and-7-results-on-november-10-election-commission-2300871|access-date=2020-09-30|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061900/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-election-on-october-28-november-3-and-7-results-on-november-10-election-commission-2300871|url-status=live}}</ref> Per the [[Election Commission of India]], approximately 60 registered parties are to contest in the Bihar elections.{{Clarify|reason=Unclear language|date=November 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|title=List of parties and vote share|url=http://ceobihar.nic.in/BiharElection/Utilities/partywise.pdf|access-date=2020-10-01|website=ceobihar.nic.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001053829/http://ceobihar.nic.in/BiharElection/Utilities/partywise.pdf|archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

The elections were conducted amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] with the necessary guidelines issued by the [[Election Commission of India]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|date=2020-09-27|title=Steps the EC has taken to ensure a safe election amid Covid-19|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bihar-elections-covid-19-guidelines-election-commission-6610806/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110024733/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/bihar-elections-covid-19-guidelines-election-commission-6610806/|url-status=live}}</ref> The election will consist of both, virtual and physical campaigns. The authorities also passed the guidelines over limited people to be involved in the rallies. Due to COVID-19, the polling time will be increased by one hour and will now be from 7am to 6pm, except in [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]] affected areas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Panda|first=Sushmita|date=2020-09-25|title=Election dates for 243 seat Bihar Assembly - biggest in Covid times- announced {{!}} HIGHLIGHTS|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/news-bihar-assembly-election-2020-dates-schedule-election-commission-model-code-of-conduct-live-updates-652020|access-date=2020-09-30|website=www.indiatvnews.com|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014012421/https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/news-bihar-assembly-election-2020-dates-schedule-election-commission-model-code-of-conduct-live-updates-652020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar elections 2020 schedule: Polling in 3 phases on October 28, November 3 and 7; results on November 10|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bihar-assembly-election-2020-polling-dates-election-commission-of-india/657838|access-date=2020-09-30|website=www.timesnownews.com|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001182234/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bihar-assembly-election-2020-polling-dates-election-commission-of-india/657838|url-status=live}}</ref> As per guidelines, maximum number of voters per polling station was reduced from 1,500 to 1,000. Arrangements were made for 7 lakh units of [[Hand sanitizer|hand sanitisers]], 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh [[Personal protective equipment|PPE kits]], 6.7 lakh [[face shield]]s, and 23 lakh [[Disposable product|single use]] gloves.<ref name=":8" />

===Voting===

The overall voter turnout in this election has been 57.05%, which is 0.39% more than the 56.66% in 2015 assembly polls. In these elections, 59.58% of females voted compared to a 54.68% voter turnout of males.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Voter turnout in Bihar assembly polls 0.39% more than in 2015 election: EC - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/voter-turnout-0-39-more-than-in-2015-election-ec/articleshow/79136183.cms|access-date=2020-11-12|website=The Times of India|date=10 November 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111032633/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/voter-turnout-0-39-more-than-in-2015-election-ec/articleshow/79136183.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Phase 1====

A total of 1,066 candidates, including 952 male and 114 female, contested in the first phase of elections from different constituencies.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Bihar Assembly election 2020: Amid COVID-19, voter turnout in Phase 1 breaks records; check details|url=https://zeenews.india.com/bihar/bihar-assembly-election-2020-amid-covid-19-voter-turnout-in-phase-1-breaks-record-check-details-2321036.html|access-date=2020-11-01|website=Zee News|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105125330/https://zeenews.india.com/bihar/bihar-assembly-election-2020-amid-covid-19-voter-turnout-in-phase-1-breaks-record-check-details-2321036.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Kashyap|first=Simran|date=2020-10-27|title=Bihar assembly election 2020: Voting for first phase today; 71 seats go to polls|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/bihar-assembly-election-2020-voting-for-first-phase-tomorrow-71-seats-go-to-polls-3168645.html|access-date=2020-11-01|website=www.oneindia.com|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101062654/https://www.oneindia.com/india/bihar-assembly-election-2020-voting-for-first-phase-tomorrow-71-seats-go-to-polls-3168645.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The maximum number of candidates contesting from one constituency in the first phase was being at [[Gaya Town Assembly constituency|Gaya Town]] with 27 candidates and the minimum at [[Katoria Assembly constituency|Katoria]] with 5 candidates in [[Banka district]].<ref name=":6" /> In the constituencies voting in the first phase of elections, approximately 2.15 crore [[Voter registration|registered electors]] were eligible to exercise their vote, out of which around 1.12 crore were male, 1.01 crore were female and 599 were categorised as the [[third gender]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=71 Seats, 1,066 Candidates, 2.14 Crore Voters In Bihar Election 1st Phase|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-election-71-seats-1-066-candidates-2-14-crore-voters-in-bihar-election-1st-phase-2316649|access-date=2020-11-01|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101114410/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-election-71-seats-1-066-candidates-2-14-crore-voters-in-bihar-election-1st-phase-2316649|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first phase of elections recorded a voter turnout of 55.68%.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=55.69 per cent voter turnout in 1st phase of Bihar assembly elections|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/55-69-per-cent-voter-turnout-in-1st-phase-of-bihar-assembly-elections-election-commission/articleshow/78936324.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-11-01|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061858/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/55-69-per-cent-voter-turnout-in-1st-phase-of-bihar-assembly-elections-election-commission/articleshow/78936324.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> The male and female voter turnout for the first phase was 56.8% and 54.4% respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar election results: The 'W' factor works for Nitish Kumar yet again|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/elections/bihar-assembly-polls-2020/story/bihar-election-results-women-factor-nitish-kumar-victory-1739992-2020-11-11|access-date=2020-11-12|website=India Today|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061858/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/elections/bihar-assembly-polls-2020/story/bihar-election-results-women-factor-nitish-kumar-victory-1739992-2020-11-11|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|previous assembly election in 2015]], the voter turnout was 54.94% for these constituencies.<ref name=":2" />

====Phase 2====

In the second phase of elections, 1463 candidates contested the elections, of which 1315 candidates were male, 147 candidates were female and 1 candidate belonged to the transgender community.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bihar election 2020: 34% crorepati candidates in Phase II of polls - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/34-crorepati-candidates-in-phase-ii-of-bihar-polls/articleshow/78938883.cms|access-date=2020-11-01|website=The Times of India|date=30 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101063629/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/34-crorepati-candidates-in-phase-ii-of-bihar-polls/articleshow/78938883.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

The elections was held on 3 November.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-10-31|title=Second phase of Bihar Assembly elections on November 3|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/second-phase-of-bihar-polls-on-nov-3/article32990437.ece|access-date=2020-11-01|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101072908/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/second-phase-of-bihar-polls-on-nov-3/article32990437.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Voter turnout for the 2nd phase was over 55.7%.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-03|title=Bihar Assembly elections phase 2, States' bypoll live {{!}} 54% turnout for second phase of Bihar polls|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/polling-for-second-phase-of-bihar-elections/article33008513.ece|access-date=2020-11-05|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104195758/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/polling-for-second-phase-of-bihar-elections/article33008513.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Phase 3====

In the third phase of elections, 1094 male candidates and 110 female candidates contested the elections for 78 Seats, out of a total of 23.5 Million eligible voters for this phase total of 12.3 Million were Male and 11.2 Million were female voters.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bihar assembly elections phase III|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 November 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-phase-iii-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79087355.cms|access-date=2020-11-11|archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209222950/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-phase-iii-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79087355.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

The elections were held on 7 November 2020 and the total Voting turnout was recorded 59.94%, which was highest among all three phases.<ref>{{Cite news|title=At phase 3 sees the highest turnout in Bihar|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 November 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/at-57-9-phase-3-sees-highest-turnout-in-bihar/articleshow/79107065.cms|access-date=2020-11-11|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210185114/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/at-57-9-phase-3-sees-highest-turnout-in-bihar/articleshow/79107065.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Incidents===

On 27 October 2020 a day before the first phase of the election, three [[improvised explosive devices]] (IEDs) were recovered and diffused from two different places in [[Imamganj]] area of [[Gaya district]].<ref>{{Cite news | date=28 October 2020 | title=3 IEDs recovered in Imamganj on poll eve | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/3-ieds-recovered-in-imamganj-on-poll-eve/articleshow/78900776.cms | access-date=2020-11-01 | work=The Times of India | archive-date=28 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028022640/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/3-ieds-recovered-in-imamganj-on-poll-eve/articleshow/78900776.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>

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| {{color|black|'''Others'''}}

[[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] secured a total of 125 seats (37.26% votes) while [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|MGB]] won 110 seats (37.23% votes).<ref>{{Cite news|title=So near, yet so far for Tejashwi: MGB got just 0.03% votes less than NDA - Times of India ►|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/so-near-yet-so-far-for-tejashwi-mgb-got-just-0-03-votes-less-than-nda/articleshow/79181077.cms|access-date=2020-11-18|website=The Times of India|date=12 November 2020|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118132051/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/so-near-yet-so-far-for-tejashwi-mgb-got-just-0-03-votes-less-than-nda/articleshow/79181077.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Grand Democratic Secular Front|GDSF]] got 6 seats, [[Lok Janshakti Party|LJP]] & others won a seat each.<ref>{{Cite web|last=TimesNow|title=Vikassheel Insaan Party Bihar Election Results 2020 {{!}} Vip Bihar Vidhan Sabha Election Results 2020|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/vikassheel-insaan-party|access-date=2020-11-11|website=TimesNow|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165735/https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/vikassheel-insaan-party|url-status=dead}}</ref> The results surprised many analysts and polling agencies that predicted MGB to win.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-11|title=Why did the exit polls get the Bihar results wrong?|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/why-did-the-exit-polls-get-the-bihar-results-wrong/story-f3Ye3kZorAdRGpvgH9VMBP.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123102910/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/why-did-the-exit-polls-get-the-bihar-results-wrong/story-f3Ye3kZorAdRGpvgH9VMBP.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Venugopal|first=Vasudha|title=Exit polls miss the mark on Bihar again, experts blame samples that missed out voices of women|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/exit-polls-miss-the-mark-on-bihar-again-experts-blame-samples-that-missed-out-voices-of-women/articleshow/79167201.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-02-26|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814235619/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/exit-polls-miss-the-mark-on-bihar-again-experts-blame-samples-that-missed-out-voices-of-women/articleshow/79167201.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> Only agency to correctly predict the Bihar election results was Politique Marquer that had predicted a narrow majority for NDA.<ref>{{Cite web|title=എക്സിറ്റ് പോളുകൾ തോറ്റപ്പോള്‍ ജയിച്ച മലയാളി; പ്രവചനം കൃത്യം; എങ്ങനെ?|url=https://www.manoramanews.com/news/india/2020/11/11/abbin-theepura-correctly-predicts-bihar-exit-polls.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Manoramanews|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034518/https://www.manoramanews.com/news/india/2020/11/11/abbin-theepura-correctly-predicts-bihar-exit-polls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] won in 75 constituencies and became the largest political party in the Legislative Assembly, however its numbers reduced compared to previous election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-09|title=Bihar Election Result Constituency-wise: RJD emerges single largest party, but NDA in the driver's seat|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/election-2020/bihar-election-results-constituency-wise-live-updates-rjd-jdu-bjp-nda-ljp-congress-ec-counting-tejashwi-yadav-winner-nitish-kumar-913419.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Deccan Herald|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116171337/https://www.deccanherald.com/election-2020/bihar-election-results-constituency-wise-live-updates-rjd-jdu-bjp-nda-ljp-congress-ec-counting-tejashwi-yadav-winner-nitish-kumar-913419.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] won 74 seats and was the biggest gainer in terms of number of MLAs elected as it added more than 30% to its seat count compared to the last election.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bellman|first1=Eric|last2=Roy|first2=Rajesh|date=2020-11-10|title=India Vote Shows How Narendra Modi Is Buffered From Covid-19 Fallout|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-vote-shows-how-narendra-modi-is-buffered-from-covid-19-fallout-11605015673|access-date=2020-11-13|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114215851/https://www.wsj.com/articles/india-vote-shows-how-narendra-modi-is-buffered-from-covid-19-fallout-11605015673|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ITRLO">{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Prabhash K.|date=November 12, 2020|title=Right, Left and Owaisi shine in Bihar election results|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/bihar-assembly-polls-2020/story/right-left-and-owaisi-shine-in-bihar-election-results-1740335-2020-11-12|access-date=2020-11-14|website=India Today}}</ref> The [[Janata Dal (United)]] and [[Indian National Congress]] won in 43 and 19 constituencies respectively and dropped the most seats compared to the previous election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mustafa|first=Seema|title=Losers in Bihar - Nitish Kumar And The Congress|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/4/19612/Losers-in-Bihar---Nitish-Kumar-And-The-Congress|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Citizen|date=13 November 2020|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061903/https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/4/19612/Losers-in-Bihar---Nitish-Kumar-And-The-Congress--|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]] (AIMIM) also made inroads in the state winning 5 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=Fatima|date=2020-11-10|title=AIMIM wins 5 seats in Bihar, but hasn't made a big dent in Mahagathbandhan vote share|url=https://theprint.in/politics/aimim-set-to-bag-5-seats-in-bihar-but-hasnt-made-a-big-dent-in-mahagathbandhan-vote-share/541676/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=ThePrint|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111125215/https://theprint.in/politics/aimim-set-to-bag-5-seats-in-bihar-but-hasnt-made-a-big-dent-in-mahagathbandhan-vote-share/541676/|url-status=live}}</ref> All the 5 MLAs of AIMIM were elected from constituencies in the [[Seemanchal]] region of the State.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar: What Worked in AIMIM's Favour in Five Assembly Seats of Seemanchal?|url=https://thewire.in/politics/mim-win-five-assembly-seats-seemanchal-bihar-elections-2020|access-date=2020-11-13|website=The Wire|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113054856/https://thewire.in/politics/mim-win-five-assembly-seats-seemanchal-bihar-elections-2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ITRLO" /> The [[Communism in India|Communist parties]] also gained in these elections.<ref name="ITRLO" /> The [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation|Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) (Liberation)]] won 12 seats, whereas the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and [[Communist Party of India]] won 2 seats each.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bihar election: BJP registers best strike rate; CPI (ML)(L) at 2nd spot|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-election-bjp-registers-best-strike-rate-cpi-mll-at-2nd-spot/articleshow/79165276.cms|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Times of India|date=11 November 2020 }}</ref> The [[Vikassheel Insaan Party]] which contested the Assembly elections for the first time won 4 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Remember This Moment In The Bihar Elections|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/remember-this-moment-in-the-bihar-elections-vips-mukesh-sahni-walks-out-of-tejashwi-yadav-led-mahagathbandhan-2323998|access-date=2020-11-15|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150550/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/remember-this-moment-in-the-bihar-elections-vips-mukesh-sahni-walks-out-of-tejashwi-yadav-led-mahagathbandhan-2323998|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sumit Kumar Singh]] was the only [[Independent politician|Independent candidate]] to win as a MLA.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=From 33 in 1967 Bihar Polls to Lone MLA in 2020, the Story of Diminishing Independents in Electoral Battle|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/from-33-in-1967-bihar-polls-to-lone-mla-in-2020-the-story-of-diminishing-independents-in-electoral-battle-3076934.html|access-date=2020-11-13|website=News18|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113162504/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/from-33-in-1967-bihar-polls-to-lone-mla-in-2020-the-story-of-diminishing-independents-in-electoral-battle-3076934.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Though the LJP could win only one seat (Matihani) on its own, but it caused much harm to the NDA. Of the 54 seats where it dented margins, JD(U) was hurt the most. Data shows that on 25 seats, where JD(U) came second, LJP had more votes than the victory margin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bihar poll results: 'Modi's hanuman' Chirag Paswan hurt JD(U) the most |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/bihar-poll-results-modi-s-hanuman-chirag-paswan-hurt-jd-u-the-most-1740118-2020-11-11 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031174259/https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/bihar-poll-results-modi-s-hanuman-chirag-paswan-hurt-jd-u-the-most-1740118-2020-11-11 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The constituencies with higher female turnout than male, the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] was in lead. Out of the 125 seats that [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] won, 99 were constituencies where female turnout was more than their male counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=Bihar elections: More women voters step out; NDA 80% seats in constituencies with higher women turnout|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-elections-more-women-voters-step-out-nda-80-seats-in-constituencies-with-higher-women-turnout-7049814/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114003415/https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-elections-more-women-voters-step-out-nda-80-seats-in-constituencies-with-higher-women-turnout-7049814/|url-status=live}}</ref> About 20% of the seats, the margin of victory was less than 2.5% of the votes polled.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last1=Radhakrishnan|first1=Vignesh|last2=Sen|first2=Sumant|last3=Singaravelu|first3=Naresh|date=2020-11-17|title=Data {{!}} Bihar Assembly election 2020 was the closest in State's history|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/data/data-bihar-assembly-election-2020-was-the-closest-in-states-history/article33095576.ece|access-date=2020-11-19|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119065224/https://www.thehindu.com/data/data-bihar-assembly-election-2020-was-the-closest-in-states-history/article33095576.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] won 21 seats with a less than 2.5% vote margin, while the [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]] won in 22 such seats.<ref name=":9" />

{{wide image|2020 Bihar ~~assembly~~Legislative ~~election~~Assembly ~~results~~Election Result Map.~~png~~svg|~~325px~~300px|Map displaying constituencies won by parties}}▼

▲{{wide image|2020 Bihar assembly election results.png|325px|Map displaying constituencies won by parties}}

{| class="wikitable"

! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Alliance

Line 3,373 ⟶ 3,371:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}"|

|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]]

|882,~~202~~02,067

|19.46%

|{{nowrap|{{decrease}}4.96%}}

Line 3,382 ⟶ 3,380:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Janata Dal (United)}}"|

|[[Janata Dal (United)]]

|664,~~485~~85,179

|15.39%

|{{decrease}}1.44%

Line 3,391 ⟶ 3,389:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Vikassheel Insaan Party}}"|

|[[Vikassheel Insaan Party]]

|~~639~~6,39,840

|1.52%

|{{increase}}1.52%

Line 3,400 ⟶ 3,398:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Hindustani Awam Morcha}}"|

|[[Hindustani Awam Morcha]]

|~~375~~3,75,564

|0.89

|{{decrease}}1.41

Line 3,412 ⟶ 3,410:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}"|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal]]

|997,~~738~~38,855

|23.11%

|{{increase}}4.79%

Line 3,421 ⟶ 3,419:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Indian National Congress}}"|

|[[Indian National Congress]]

|339,~~995~~95,319

|9.48%

|{{increase}}2.82%

Line 3,430 ⟶ 3,428:

|bgcolor="red"|

|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation|Communist Party of India (ML) Liberation]]

|113,~~333~~33,682

|3.16%

|{{increase}}1.66%

Line 3,439 ⟶ 3,437:

|bgcolor="red"|

|[[Communist Party of India]]

|~~349~~3,49,489

|0.83%

|{{decrease}}0.57%

Line 3,448 ⟶ 3,446:

|bgcolor="red"|

|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]

|~~274~~2,74,155

|0.65%

|{{increase}}0.05%

Line 3,460 ⟶ 3,458:

|bgcolor="{{party color|All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen}}"|

|[[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen]]

|~~523~~5,23,279

|1.24%

|{{Increase}}1.03%

Line 3,469 ⟶ 3,467:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Bahujan Samaj Party}}"|

|[[Bahujan Samaj Party]]

|~~628~~6,28,961

|1.49%

|{{decrease}}0.60%

Line 3,478 ⟶ 3,476:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Rashtriya Lok Samta Party}}"|

|[[Rashtriya Lok Samta Party]]

|~~744~~7,44,221

|1.77%

|{{decrease}}0.82%

Line 3,488 ⟶ 3,486:

| bgcolor="{{party color|Lok Janshakti Party}}" |

|[[Lok Janshakti Party]]

|223,~~383~~83,457

|5.66%

|{{increase}}0.77%

Line 3,497 ⟶ 3,495:

|bgcolor="{{party color|Independent politician}}"|

|[[Independent politician|Independents]]

|336,~~641~~41,362

|8.64%

|{{decrease}}0.76%

Line 3,506 ⟶ 3,504:

|bgcolor="{{party color|None of the Above}}" |

|NOTA

|~~706~~7,06,252

|1.68%

|{{decrease}}0.82%

Line 3,524 ⟶ 3,522:

| style="text-align:right;" colspan="4" |Valid votes

|424,~~142~~21,42,828

|99.88

| colspan="6" rowspan="5" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |

Line 3,533 ⟶ 3,531:

| style="text-align:right;" colspan="4" |'''Votes cast / Turnout'''

|'''424,~~194~~21,94,050'''

|'''57.29'''

| style="text-align:right;" colspan="4" |Abstentions

|313,~~453~~14,53,610

|42.71

| style="text-align:right;" colspan="4" |'''Registered voters'''

|'''737,~~647~~36,47,660'''

| colspan="1" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |

Line 3,547 ⟶ 3,545:

===Results by District Wise===

In districts adjoining [[Uttar Pradesh]], the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] performed better than the [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|Mahagathbandhan]], however [[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]'s seats declined.<ref name="TOIHBV" >{{Cite news|title=How Bihar voted|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-bihar-voted/articleshow/79184856.cms|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Times of India|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114082626/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-bihar-voted/articleshow/79184856.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] won in majority of the constituencies in the [[Champaran]] region.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Bihar election results: NDA candidates lead in Champaran region after initial rounds|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-election-results-nda-candidates-lead-in-champaran-region-after-initial-rounds/story-QSYvGCaDcoqmFJGgGgpZ6H.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116020557/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/bihar-election-results-nda-candidates-lead-in-champaran-region-after-initial-rounds/story-QSYvGCaDcoqmFJGgGgpZ6H.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:.6em;text-align: center;"

Line 4,156 ⟶ 4,154:

|24

|[[Bathnaha Assembly constituency|Bathnaha]] (SC)

|[[Anil Kumar (born 1987)|Anil Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#FF9933|

|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]

Line 4,184 ⟶ 4,182:

|26

|[[Sursand Assembly constituency|Sursand]]

|[[Dilip Kumar Ray]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 4,300 ⟶ 4,298:

|34

|[[Babubarhi Assembly constituency|Babubarhi]]

|[[Mina Kumari]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 4,328 ⟶ 4,326:

|36

|[[Madhubani Assembly constituency|Madhubani]]

|[[Samir Kumar Mahaseth]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 4,385 ⟶ 4,383:

|40

|[[Laukaha Assembly constituency|Laukaha]]

|[[Bharat Bhushan Mandal]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 4,417 ⟶ 4,415:

|42

|[[Pipra, Supaul Assembly constituency|Pipra]]

|~~Ramvilas~~[[Rambilash Kamat]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 4,562 ⟶ 4,560:

|52

|[[Bahadurganj Assembly constituency|Bahadurganj]]

|~~Md.~~[[Mohammad Anzar Nayeemi]]

|bgcolor=#009F3C|

|[[All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen|AIMIM]]

Line 4,866 ⟶ 4,864:

|73

|[[Madhepura Assembly constituency|Madhepura]]

|[[Chandrashekhar Yadav]]

~~|Chandra Shekhar~~

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,085 ⟶ 5,083:

|88

|[[Gaighat Assembly constituency|Gaighat]]

|[[Niranjan Roy]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,144 ⟶ 5,142:

|92

|[[Sakra Assembly constituency|Sakra]] (SC)

|[[Ashok Kumar Choudhary]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 5,186 ⟶ 5,184:

|95

|[[Kanti Assembly constituency|Kanti]]

|~~Md.~~[[Mohammad Israil Mansuri]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,201 ⟶ 5,199:

|96

|[[Baruraj Assembly constituency|Baruraj]]

|[[Arun Kumar Singh]]

|bgcolor=#FF9933|

|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]

Line 5,403 ⟶ 5,401:

|110

|[[Barharia Assembly constituency|Barharia]]

|[[Bachcha Pandey]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,447 ⟶ 5,445:

|113

|[[Ekma Assembly constituency|Ekma]]

|[[Srikant Yadav]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,532 ⟶ 5,530:

|119

|[[Garkha Assembly constituency|Garkha]] (SC)

|[[Surendra Ram]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,560 ⟶ 5,558:

|121

|[[Parsa Assembly constituency|Parsa]]

|[[Chhote Lal Ray]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,619 ⟶ 5,617:

|125

|[[Vaishali Assembly constituency|Vaishali]]

|[[Siddharth Patel]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 5,633 ⟶ 5,631:

|126

|[[Mahua Assembly constituency|Mahua]]

|[[Mukesh Kumar Raushan]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,648 ⟶ 5,646:

|127

|[[Raja Pakar Assembly constituency|Raja Pakar]] (SC)

|[[Pratima Kumari Das]]

|bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 5,766 ⟶ 5,764:

|135

|[[Morwa Assembly constituency|Morwa]]

|[[Ranvijay Sahu]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 5,795 ⟶ 5,793:

|137

|[[Mohiuddinnagar Assembly constituency|Mohiuddinnagar]]

|[[Rajesh Kumar Singh (Bihar ~~Politician~~politician)|Rajesh Kumar Singh]]

|bgcolor=#FF9933|

|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]

Line 5,824 ⟶ 5,822:

|139

|[[Rosera Assembly constituency|Rosera]] (SC)

|[[Birendra Kumar (Bihar politician)|Birendra Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#FF9933|

|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]

Line 5,984 ⟶ 5,982:

|150

|[[Beldaur Assembly constituency|Beldaur]]

|[[Panna Lal Singh Patel]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 5,998 ⟶ 5,996:

|151

|[[Parbatta Assembly constituency|Parbatta]]

|[[Sanjeev Kumar (politician born 1979)|Sanjeev Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,029 ⟶ 6,027:

|153

|[[Gopalpur, Bihar Assembly constituency|Gopalpur]]

|[[Gopal Mandal|Narendra Kumar Niraj]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,176 ⟶ 6,174:

|163

|[[Belhar Assembly constituency|Belhar]]

|[[Manoj Yadav]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,221 ⟶ 6,219:

|166

|[[Jamalpur, Bihar Assembly constituency|Jamalpur]]

|[[Ajay Kumar Singh (Bihar politician, Indian National Congress)|Ajay Kumar Singh]]

|bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 6,268 ⟶ 6,266:

|169

|[[Sheikhpura Assembly constituency|Sheikhpura]]

|[[Vijay Kumar Chaudhary|Vijay Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 6,299 ⟶ 6,297:

|171

|[[Asthawan Assembly constituency|Asthawan]]

|[[Jitendra Kumar (Bihar politician)|Jitendra Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,328 ⟶ 6,326:

|173

|[[Rajgir, Bihar Assembly constituency|Rajgir]] (SC)

|[[Kaushal Kishore (politician)|Kaushal Kishore]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,342 ⟶ 6,340:

|174

|[[Islampur, Bihar Assembly constituency|Islampur]]

|[[Rakesh Kumar Raushan|Rakesh Kumar Roushan]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 6,356 ⟶ 6,354:

|175

|[[Hilsa Assembly constituency|Hilsa]]

|~~Krishnamurari~~[[Krishna Murari Sharan]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,384 ⟶ 6,382:

|177

|[[Harnaut Assembly constituency|Harnaut]]

|[[Hari Naraian Singh|Hari Narayan Singh]]

|bgcolor=#003366|

|[[Janata Dal (United)|JDU]]

Line 6,585 ⟶ 6,583:

|191

|[[Bikram Assembly constituency|Bikram]]

|[[Siddharth Saurav Singh]]

|bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 6,776 ⟶ 6,774:

|204

|[[Mohania Assembly constituency|Mohania]] (SC)

|[[Sangita Kumari (politician)|Sangita Kumari]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 6,877 ⟶ 6,875:

|211

|[[Nokha, Bihar Assembly constituency|Nokha]]

|[[Anita Devi (politician)|Anita Devi]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 7,040 ⟶ 7,038:

|222

|[[Kutumba Assembly constituency|Kutumba]] (SC)

|[[Rajesh Kumar (born 1969)|Rajesh Kumar]]

|bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 7,099 ⟶ 7,097:

|226

|[[Sherghati Assembly constituency|Sherghati]]

|[[Manju Agrawal]]

|bgcolor=#008000|

|[[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]]

Line 7,242 ⟶ 7,240:

|236

|[[Hisua Assembly constituency|Hisua]]

|[[Nitu Kumari]]

|bgcolor=#00BFFF|

|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]

Line 7,300 ⟶ 7,298:

|240

|[[Sikandra (Bihar Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sikandra]] (SC)

|[[Prafull Kumar Manjhi]]

|bgcolor=#E74C3C|

|[[Hindustani Awam Morcha|HAM]]

Line 7,373 ⟶ 7,371:

=== Government formation ===

After the election process concluded, [[List of chief ministers of Bihar|Chief Minister]] [[Nitish Kumar]] tendered his resignation to the [[List of governors of Bihar|Governor]] on 13 November 2020.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=Bihar govt formation: Nitish Kumar tenders resignation to Governor ahead of NDA meet on Sunday|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-govt-formation-nitish-kumar-tenders-resignation-to-govornor-ahead-of-nda-meet-on-sunday/story-gGmWQy7X3I2e1fBvqIhS1I.html|access-date=2020-11-13|website=Hindustan Times|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113180547/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-govt-formation-nitish-kumar-tenders-resignation-to-govornor-ahead-of-nda-meet-on-sunday/story-gGmWQy7X3I2e1fBvqIhS1I.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Democratic Alliance]] members met at around 12:30 pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]], on 15 November to formally announce and elect the new Chief Minister.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=NDA Will Meet on Sunday at 12:30 pm to Elect Bihar's Next Chief Minister, Says Nitish Kumar|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/nda-will-meet-on-sunday-at-1230-pm-to-elect-bihars-next-chief-minister-says-nitish-kumar-3077327.html|access-date=2020-11-13|website=News18|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113165401/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/nda-will-meet-on-sunday-at-1230-pm-to-elect-bihars-next-chief-minister-says-nitish-kumar-3077327.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nitish Kumar]] was elected leader of the NDA and Chief Minister in the meeting.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2020-11-15|title=Nitish Kumar unanimously elected as leader of NDA in Bihar; to return as CM|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/nitish-unanimously-elected-as-leader-of-nda-in-bihar-to-return-as-cm/article33101728.ece|access-date=2020-11-15|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115093250/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/nitish-unanimously-elected-as-leader-of-nda-in-bihar-to-return-as-cm/article33101728.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> After being elected as the NDA leader in Bihar, Nitish said that he did not want to become the chief minister of the state and wanted someone from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] party to become the next chief minister. However he accepted the designation on the insistence of the BJP.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Bihar: I did not want to become CM, says Nitish Kumar after elected as NDA chief|url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-bihar-i-did-not-want-to-become-cm-says-nitish-kumar-after-elected-as-nda-chief-1389955|access-date=2020-11-15|website=news.abplive.com|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061900/https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-bihar-i-did-not-want-to-become-cm-says-nitish-kumar-after-elected-as-nda-chief-1389955|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after, Nitish visited the Governor to stake claim to form the new government.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Nitish meets Bihar Governor, stakes claim for forming new government|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nitish-meets-bihar-governor-stakes-claim-for-forming-new-government/1976300|access-date=2020-11-15|website=outlookindia.com|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121003548/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nitish-meets-bihar-governor-stakes-claim-for-forming-new-government/1976300|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Reactions and analysis===

After the election results were announced, the incumbent Chief Minister of Bihar [[Nitish Kumar]] thanked the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Narendra Modi]] for his contribution and support to the National Democratic Alliance in the election campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|title="The Public Decides. Thank PM For His Support": Nitish Kumar On Bihar Win|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-tweets-on-bihar-win-the-public-decides-i-thank-pm-modi-for-his-support-2323960|access-date=2020-11-13|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> [[Narendra Modi]] himself declared victory and quoted “Democracy has once again won in Bihar.”<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Schmall|first1=Emily|last2=Kumar|first2=Hari|date=2020-11-10|title=India's Modi Reverses His Fortunes in Crucial State|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/asia/india-bihar-election.html|access-date=2020-11-13|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113101819/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/09/world/asia/india-bihar-election.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-09|title=Bihar election updates: PM Modi says democracy has won with blessings of the people|url=https://theprint.in/politics/live-bihar-assembly-election-result-2020-tejashwi-yadav-mahagathbandhan-nitish-kumar-nda-seats-count-bjp-jdu-rjd-congress-vote-share/540430/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=ThePrint|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111011328/https://theprint.in/politics/live-bihar-assembly-election-result-2020-tejashwi-yadav-mahagathbandhan-nitish-kumar-nda-seats-count-bjp-jdu-rjd-congress-vote-share/540430/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the results, [[Tejashwi Yadav|Tejashwi]] claimed to have "won 130 seats" and that "the mandate was in our favour, but the Election Commission’s results were declared in favour of [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]]". He claimed, that the [[Mahagathbandhan (Bihar)|MGB]] "lost about 20 seats" because of "[[Electoral fraud|irregularities]]" in counting of [[postal ballot]]s<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tewary|first=Amarnath|date=2020-11-12|title=Mandate is in our favour, says Tejashwi Yadav|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/mandate-in-our-favour-but-results-were-declared-in-favour-of-nda-tejashwi/article33084152.ece|access-date=2020-11-19|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119034128/https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/mandate-in-our-favour-but-results-were-declared-in-favour-of-nda-tejashwi/article33084152.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> and threatened to move to court.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nezami|first=Sheezan|title=Tejashwi alleges foul play, threatens to go to court over counting 'loopholes' {{!}} Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/tejashwi-alleges-foul-play-threatens-to-go-to-court-over-counting-loopholes/articleshow/79202244.cms|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Times of India|date=13 November 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113040045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/tejashwi-alleges-foul-play-threatens-to-go-to-court-over-counting-loopholes/articleshow/79202244.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite web|title=Bihar polls 2020: RJD to move court if EC rejects recount plea|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/nov/14/bihar-polls-2020-rjd-to-move-court-if-ec-rejects-recount-plea-2223551.html|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The New Indian Express|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115174343/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/nov/14/bihar-polls-2020-rjd-to-move-court-if-ec-rejects-recount-plea-2223551.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Election Commission termed the claims unfounded, adding that, according to procedure, the postal ballots including the invalid ones were re-verified where the margin of victory was less than the number of rejected ballots.<ref name=":18"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-12|title=Counting of votes in Bihar polls done in fair manner: Chief Electoral Officer H R Srinivas|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/election-2020/counting-of-votes-in-bihar-polls-done-in-fair-manner-chief-electoral-officer-h-r-srinivas-914880.html|access-date=2020-11-19|website=Deccan Herald|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113055818/https://www.deccanherald.com/election-2020/counting-of-votes-in-bihar-polls-done-in-fair-manner-chief-electoral-officer-h-r-srinivas-914880.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tejashwi also claimed that NDA won by "money, muscle power and deceit".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-12|title=Tejashwi Yadav demands recounting of votes, says mandate in favour of Grand Alliance|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-election-results-tejashwi-yadav-rjd-grand-alliance-bjp-jdu-7049122/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Indian Express|archive-date=22 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122074842/https://indianexpress.com/elections/bihar-election-results-tejashwi-yadav-rjd-grand-alliance-bjp-jdu-7049122/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tejashwi elected leader of Grand Alliance legislature party, claims NDA won by deceit|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/elections/tejashwi-elected-leader-of-grand-alliance-legislature-party-claims-nda-won-by-deceit/article33083919.ece|access-date=2020-11-19|website=@businessline|date=12 November 2020|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113004014/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/elections/tejashwi-elected-leader-of-grand-alliance-legislature-party-claims-nda-won-by-deceit/article33083919.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Later the Election Commission claimed that it had counted random [[voter-verified paper audit trail]] which matched the [[Electronic voting in India|EVM]] count.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2020-12-03|title=No mismatch in EVM, VVPAT counts in Bihar polls: Election Commission|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/no-mismatch-in-evm-vvpat-counts-in-bihar-polls-election-commission/article33237353.ece|access-date=2020-12-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The [[Time (magazine)|Time magazine]] called the victory as a triumph for Modi's "[[Hindu nationalism|Hindu Nationalist]] Message".<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=India's Narendra Modi Just Won a Crucial State Election Despite COVID-19. It's a Triumph for His Hindu Nationalist Message|url=https://time.com/5910509/bihar-india-elections-bjp/|access-date=2020-11-13|magazine=Time|archive-date=13 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113083743/https://time.com/5910509/bihar-india-elections-bjp/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to analysts BJP has become more significant in the state than before.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Narayan|first=Badri|date=2020-11-12|title=A churning in Bihar politics|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-churning-in-bihar-politics/article33077707.ece|access-date=2020-11-15|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115120522/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-churning-in-bihar-politics/article33077707.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[14th Dalai Lama]] congratulated Nitish on his election victory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dalai Lama writes to Nitish Kumar; congratulates him for the election victory|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/11/11/dalai-lama-writes-to-nitish-kumar-congratulates-him-for-the-election-victory.html|access-date=2020-11-13|website=The Week|archive-date=18 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718062422/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/11/11/dalai-lama-writes-to-nitish-kumar-congratulates-him-for-the-election-victory.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Bye-election===

[[2021 elections in India#Bihar|2021 bye-election]] was necessitated by the death of sitting MLAs of [[Kusheshwar Asthan Assembly constituency|Kusheshwar Asthan]] and [[Tarapur Assembly constituency|Tarapur]] assembly constituencies. JDU was successful in holding on to both the seats.<ref name="Bihar Bypolls Results 2021">{{cite news |title=Bihar Bypolls Results 2021 highlights: JD(U) wins both seats despite RJD's spirited fight in Tarapur |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/bihar-bypolls-results-2021-live-updates-101635817113793.html |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=2 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102020608/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/bihar-bypolls-results-2021-live-updates-101635817113793.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[2022 elections in India|2022 bye election]]: RJD gained Bochahan seat of Muzzafarpur district.