Patna: Veteran politician and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) president Sharad Pawar has predicted a potential upset in the Bihar Assembly elections, stating that an NDA defeat would come as no surprise given the electorate’s yearning for change.
Arriving in Patna to campaign for the Mahagathbandhan, Pawar told reporters that Bihar stands apart in Indian politics, having witnessed pivotal moments like Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran movement during the freedom struggle, Jayaprakash Narayan’s anti-Emergency crusade, and Indira Gandhi’s symbolic elephant ride to Belchi while in Opposition. “This is a poor state, yet its citizens are politically astute,” he observed, adding that feedback from his contacts indicates a strong undercurrent for transformation. “If the NDA loses power, it won’t astonish me— Biharis desire change, and it will materialise this time.”
Pawar praised the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for raising awareness about voter list irregularities, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to act promptly. “This issue predates the current polls; being ignored by officials is a grave concern,” he emphasised.
The first phase on November 6 recorded a historic 65.08% turnout — the highest ever — bolstering Opposition hopes. While the NDA banks on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s two-decade legacy, the RJD-led alliance counters with promises of jobs and accusations of misgovernance. As Phase 2 approaches on November 11, Pawar’s endorsement injects fresh momentum into the Mahagathbandhan’s narrative of renewal.