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Bihar's Political Titans Convene Hectic Parleys Ahead of 2025 Vote Count

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ene-hectic-parleys-ahead-of-2025-vote-count.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 6:30 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Political parties hold hectic parleys to review preparations as Bihar readies for counting of votes
New Indian Express – 13 Nov 2025

The New Indian Express article reports on a flurry of last‑minute meetings between the major political parties in Bihar as the state gears up for the counting of votes in the 2025 legislative assembly elections. The “hectic parleys” referenced in the headline refer to a series of brief, often urgent consultations between party leadership and campaign managers across the state’s 90 assembly constituencies, all of which take place in the week leading up to the scheduled vote‑counting day on 19 November 2025.

1. The parties on the brink

The article opens with a description of the principal actors:

• Janata Dal (United) – JD (U), led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been the dominant force in the state since the 2015 elections.
• Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), headed by Tejashwi Yadav, the party’s most senior leader in the assembly, who has been the chief rival to JD (U) for more than a decade.
• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alongside JD (U).
• Indian National Congress (INC), which is currently re‑building its presence in Bihar after a long period of decline.
• Other regional outfits such as the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Samajwadi Janata Dal (SJD) that are trying to carve out a niche in specific constituencies.

Each of these parties convened a “strategic review” meeting that involved senior leaders, polling agents, field volunteers and, in some cases, senior bureaucrats from the Election Commission of India (ECI). The meetings were held in the capital Patna and in key districts such as Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani and Darbhanga, reflecting a comprehensive geographical spread.

2. Key issues discussed

The article lists several recurring themes that dominated the conversations:

a. Seat‑sharing and candidate selection

All parties discussed the finalization of seat‑sharing arrangements that had been negotiated months earlier. For instance, JD (U) and BJP reaffirmed the NDA pact to share 45 of the 90 seats. RJD, still in a loose coalition with the INC, reviewed its list of 25 contested seats. A particular point of contention was the reservation of 14 seats for scheduled castes (SCs) and 12 for scheduled tribes (STs). The parties exchanged data on which constituencies had the most favourable demographic composition and agreed on a set of “safe” seats that would be contested by the coalition partners.

b. Ground logistics and security

The article quotes a senior JD (U) campaign coordinator, who said, “We have had to re‑audit the transport and security provisions at every polling station.” The parties are sharing information on the logistics of transporting ballots, ensuring that the “safeguards” for ballot boxes are in place, and that the “polling staff” are properly trained to detect and counter any attempts at tampering. The ECI has dispatched additional police personnel from Delhi to maintain law and order on polling and counting days, a fact that is repeated in a linked article about the Election Commission’s latest security brief.

c. Voter outreach and last‑minute campaigning

The teams reviewed voter turnout projections, which currently hover around 72 % according to the ECI’s latest polling data. A senior INC leader remarked that “the youth vote is crucial in the 18‑25 age bracket, especially in the urban constituencies of Patna and Muzaffarpur.” All parties are using a mix of traditional rallies and digital outreach—particularly via WhatsApp, YouTube and local radio—to mobilise voters. The article highlights the use of “data‑driven” strategies, such as the deployment of geospatial analytics to identify voter pockets with high swing potential.

d. Issue‑based messaging

Agricultural distress, unemployment, and the impact of the recent floods in the Kosi‑Bhojpuri region have dominated the policy dialogue. JD (U) leaders reiterated the “agri‑credit” initiative launched in 2024 that has received positive feedback from farmers. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, meanwhile, is leaning on his “farmers‑first” narrative, while the INC’s Rahul Gandhi has highlighted a platform for a “fair‑trade” agreement with neighbouring states.

3. The backdrop of the 2025 election

The article explains that Bihar’s 2025 assembly election is the largest in the country, with a voter roll of approximately 26 million. The counting day is expected to be a logistical marathon, with 90 voting booths being processed in the early hours of the morning. The article links to a previous piece that detailed the ECI’s counting protocol, emphasising the “transparent” nature of the process and the use of “live‑updates” via the official website and social media.

The narrative also touches on the historical rivalry between Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, and how that rivalry now manifests in the “last‑minute scramble” to secure every seat. It notes that JD (U) has an advantage in the “urban core” constituencies, while RJD remains stronger in rural pockets, especially in the southern districts of Bihar.

4. The significance of the parleys

The “hectic parleys” are a sign of the urgency and high stakes of the upcoming count. Every party is keen to ensure that its counting station is staffed with the right personnel and that the electoral machinery runs smoothly. The article quotes an ECI official who said, “We have no tolerance for any irregularities. The counting process must be meticulous.” This insistence on procedural integrity underscores the importance of the election for the democratic health of Bihar.

In addition, the article underscores that these meetings are not just about logistics; they are also about maintaining “party morale.” With the vote count looming, leaders have used these parleys to boost confidence, reassure volunteers, and galvanise their support bases. In one instance, the JD (U) chief is reported to have issued a speech in the Patna meeting that praised the party’s “resilience” and “tough fight” in the face of an “aggressive” opposition.

5. What to expect on 19 November

According to the article, the counting will start at 6:30 AM in the central counting hall of Patna and will continue in phases until the final results are announced in the evening. The article provides a timeline:

• 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Ballot boxes from the first ten constituencies will be counted.
• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – The next twenty‑five constituencies will be processed.
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – The bulk of the vote tally will take place.
• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Final tallies, announcement of results, and immediate reaction from party leaders.

The article also highlights the role of technology in ensuring accurate counts, citing the ECI’s adoption of “electronic voter‑identification machines” (EVMs) and a “live‑scoring” feature that provides real‑time updates to the public.

6. Concluding thoughts

In essence, the New Indian Express piece offers a comprehensive look at the state of play in Bihar’s election machinery as the count approaches. The frantic meetings and strategic reviews underscore the high level of preparation and the intense rivalry between the parties. While the article focuses on the logistical aspects, it also captures the political drama that has defined Bihar’s electoral history: a battle for rural vote banks, a contest for urban leadership, and an overarching desire to shape the state’s policy direction in the coming years.

The “hectic parleys” are a pre‑count ritual that, according to the article, will set the tone for the results. Whether JD (U) can hold on to its current hold, whether RJD can make a comeback, or whether the INC will be a catalyst for change remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Bihar’s electorate is ready, and the counting day on 19 November will be the ultimate test of these parties’ strategies and their ability to win over the voters.