Photo Credit: The Suncity News.
Patna, November 13, 2025: Grand Alliance Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday night expressed apprehension that the vote counting process might be deliberately slowed down in constituencies where the Grand Alliance candidates are leading the Bihar Assembly elections.
Addressing a late-night joint press conference with the Grand Alliance partners, Yadav urged the poll body and officials to conduct the counting honestly and transparently.
“The main objective of raising this issue is to appeal to all officers and the ECI to ensure a fair counting process,” he said.
Tejashwi Yadav highlighted the 2020 slow counting:
Recalling the 2020 Assembly elections, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the counting had been stopped several times then.
“We have an apprehension that this time too, counting may be slowed on seats where the Grand Alliance is winning and results declare quickly where NDA candidates are leading,” he said.
“BJP, with the help of a section of the media, will try to create a narrative that the NDA is winning, and the Prime Minister will reach the BJP office in New Delhi to celebrate. But I want to make it clear, the Grand Alliance is winning this election. The NDA is losing.”
Tejashwi Yadav further alleged that some retired officers and ministers in Patna and Delhi were influencing officials to manipulate the counting pace.
“Some officers have informed me that instructions were given to delay counting on seats with narrow margins or slow down the counting on which the Grand Alliance candidates would be leading. Such attempts must not be repeated,” he warned.
“I appeal again to all officers to perform your duty honestly and complete the counting process without any deliberate delay.”
Tejashwi Yadav asserted that the people of Bihar had voted for change, and the Grand Alliance would form the government with a full majority.
“Our workers are alert at all counting centres. If any officer repeats the conduct of 2020, the people of Bihar will give a befitting reply,” he said.
Other Grand Alliance leaders also raised apprehension over it:
CPI-ML national general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya supported Yadav’s concerns, describing the election as a hurdle race.
“The first hurdle was the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the second was casting votes, and the third is coming up tomorrow on the day of counting. The people of Bihar have given their mandate. The poll body must ensure transparent counting, whether of postal ballots or EVMs,” he said.
Bhattacharya further added, “Even Tejashwi Yadav was given his certificate at 2 am last time. Such delay should not be repeated.”
Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani appealed to officials to uphold their constitutional duty.
“The people of Bihar voted for change and for employment. Officers must ensure fair counting and justice to the people’s mandate,” Sahani said.
Congress state in-charge Krishna Allavaru claimed that the BJP is losing even in its strongholds, including in Patna, West Champaran, East Champaran, Supaul, Darbhanga and and other districts.
“The people of Bihar have clearly voted in favour of the Grand Alliance. I urge all officers to respect this mandate and conduct counting in an honest manner,” he said.
Also Read: Patna DM reviews security and counting preparation ahead of the Bihar Assembly election results.
EOM.