As Bihar stands on the brink of revealing its election destiny, a powerful warning from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sends shockwaves: if the shady manipulations of 2020 rear their ugly head again, the people won't just watch—they'll step up to safeguard democracy. It's a tense moment in India's political landscape, where votes are about to be counted, and Yadav is pulling no punches on what could go wrong. But here's where it gets controversial—his bold accusations against the ruling party and officials might just ignite a firestorm of debate. Let's dive deeper into this story, breaking it down step by step for clarity, so even if you're new to Indian politics, you'll grasp the stakes and nuances.
Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 08:16 IST
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav confidently predicts that the Mahagathbandhan—an alliance including his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties—will clinch a decisive victory with a clear majority in the Bihar Assembly elections. This comes despite exit polls pointing towards a comeback for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yadav, flashing a victory sign at a press conference in Patna (courtesy of PTI), is unapologetically optimistic, dismissing those polls as mere noise.
Even as vote counting kicked off on Friday morning, Yadav doubled down with a stirring message: 'Sarkar Banne ja rahi hain, naukri raj aayega'—which translates to 'We are going to form the government for employment in the state.' It's a promise that resonates deeply in Bihar, a state grappling with job shortages, and Yadav is positioning his alliance as the champions of economic hope for the youth and working class.
At that same press conference on Thursday, Yadav didn't mince words in cautioning government officials about maintaining integrity during the counting process. 'We are completely confident that we are forming the government with a clear majority. We will very comfortably win the election tomorrow. Our workers are at all the counting stations and are alert,' he declared. This vigilance is no small matter; it's a proactive safeguard against any potential foul play, ensuring transparency in a system where trust can sometimes waver.
Yadav drew parallels to the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, where he alleges the Mahagathbandhan was poised to take power 'but for manipulations by pliant officials.' In simple terms, he's suggesting that biased bureaucrats, possibly under pressure from higher-ups, interfered to sway the results unfairly. This isn't just history—it's a cautionary tale that Yadav hopes the Election Commission of India (ECI) will heed by enforcing strict impartiality in the vote tally.
And this is the part most people miss—the implicit threat wrapped in a call for justice. 'If the administration repeats their 2020 mistake again, or anyone crosses their limit, does something unconstitutional and unfair, and if any official acts on anyone’s orders, then the public will take care of it,' Yadav warned. It's a statement that could spark heated opinions: is this a legitimate defense of democracy, or an incitement to unrest? For beginners, think of it as Yadav rallying the masses to protect their vote, much like citizens monitoring elections in other democracies to prevent fraud.
In a related tweet from IANS on November 13, 2025, Yadav emphasized the alertness of his party's workers at counting centers: 'Our party workers are alert and present at the counting centers. If any official tries to repeat the mistakes of 2020, crosses their limits, or acts on someone’s directions with malicious intent, the public will give a strong…' (followed by a link to the pic.twitter.com image). It's a visual reminder of the ground-level mobilization happening to keep things fair.
During his speech, Yadav accused the BJP of fabricating a victory storyline through friendly media outlets and compliant officials. 'We had also observed earlier that certain BJP leaders, along with some compliant media and officials, were creating a propaganda and perception that the BJP was winning the election. The BJP is anxious and restless, aware that this government is on its way out,' he stated. This allegation highlights a supposed media bias, where narratives are spun to influence public opinion before results are even in—a tactic that could arouse controversy, as it questions the neutrality of journalism in high-stakes elections.
Stepping up the drama, Yadav claimed to have insider tips about a plot to tamper with the counting on November 14. 'We have received information from officials who are receiving calls or being called in to meet that there will be a conspiracy tomorrow to slow down the entire counting process, and not to declare the seats that Mahagathbandhan wins tomorrow and declare the NDA seats first,' he revealed. For context, this delayed announcement could create confusion and momentum swings, potentially swaying undecided constituencies.
Earlier that day, Yadav hosted a virtual meeting with party candidates and district leaders to review protocols for the counting day, underscoring their readiness. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he reinforced this preparedness, saying the alliance and Bihar's populace are 'alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity.' He praised Bihar's voters as guardians of democratic principles: 'The justice-loving people of Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, and all social and political workers who love Bihar and the Constitution are... committed to saving democracy and the Constitution.' Here's a relevant example: Just as in the United States, where citizens volunteer as poll watchers to ensure fair elections, Yadav's message echoes a grassroots defense against electoral irregularities.
Vote counting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly began at 8 am on November 14, with results anticipated by evening, wrapping up a month-long electoral marathon following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter rolls. While most exit polls favor the NDA, Yadav's assertions flip the script, painting a picture of an alliance ready to govern for progress.
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Vani Mehrotra
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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November 14, 2025, 06:49 IST
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What do you think about Yadav's fiery allegations? Is he rightfully protecting democracy, or is this just political posturing? Could there have been real manipulation in 2020, and is it fair to accuse the BJP of media bias? Do you believe the people will indeed 'take care' if irregularities occur, or could that lead to chaos? Share your opinions, agreements, or disagreements in the comments below—we'd love to hear diverse perspectives and spark a thoughtful discussion!
