The electoral math is stark: 165 direct seats and 110 PR slots in the 275-seat parliament. Madhesh outfits couldn’t muster a single FPTP victory or the mandatory 3% vote share for PR, ending their lower house presence for the first time in over three decades.

In an interview with Prime TV, Raut admitted fighting reluctantly this time and pledged no future candidacies, though he’ll helm the party if required. His pivot from separatism to parliament in 2022 yielded six seats then, but Saptari-2 saw him trounced by RSP’s Ramji Yadav, landing third.

RSP’s sweep in Madhesh—30 of 32 FPTP seats—signals a seismic shift. Balen Shah’s Maithili rhetoric, branding himself Madhesh’s own and pitching an indigenous PM, galvanized voters. Nepali Congress and UML got the scraps.

Tracing roots to the 2007 Madhesh uprising, these parties peaked in 2008 but faltered amid infighting and corruption charges. Defeats for Upendra Yadav (Saptari-3), Prabhu Shah (Rautahat-3), and Rajendra Mahato (Sarlahi-2) compound the misery.

Undeterred, Madhesh voices affirm their agenda lives on, eyeing resurgence.

Balen Shah, the charismatic candidate for Prime Minister, is outpacing veteran KP Sharma Oli by thousands of votes, symbolizing a generational shift. The rise of RSP reflects deep-seated public frustration with established players.

Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai confirmed Nepali Congress in second place, with the UML and Maoist Centre lagging behind. As counts progress, citizens are closely monitoring for signs of meaningful governance overhaul.

Returning expatriate Dr. Anupama voiced the sentiment: ‘We’ve ditched our Canadian citizenship for a renewed Nepal. This new party’s lead promises the change we’ve craved—no more corruption.’

Youth activist Dr. Prahlad Upreti added, ‘Post-Gen Z protests, this vote is make-or-break. Victory for newcomers must translate to systemic reforms.’

Analysts attribute RSP’s momentum to youth-driven demands for transparency. Live updates from New Baneshwor show ongoing tallies, with Shah’s advantage solid at more than 4,000 votes. Final outcomes will reshape Nepal’s future.

The Japanese observer mission, headed by ex-Ambassador Watanabe Masato, comprised diplomats and experts who closely monitored polling stations. Their report affirmed that voting unfolded smoothly, aligning with international standards. ‘We welcome the reliable and predominantly peaceful execution of the election,’ Japan’s official statement declared.

Emphasizing shared democratic values, Japan expressed support for Bangladesh’s democratic advancements. The country pledged continued collaboration through strategic ties to bolster development and mutual relations.

Simultaneously, BNP leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister, unveiling a robust cabinet with 25 full ministers. Prominent appointees include Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, and Kazi Shah Moefizul Huq Kaikobad. The inclusion of 24 junior ministers signals a broad-based government, though the exclusion of some veteran BNP figures has raised eyebrows within political circles.

This development marks a new chapter for Bangladesh, with Japan’s endorsement lending credibility to the electoral exercise. As the new administration settles in, expectations are high for policies that drive prosperity and regional stability, backed by international allies like Japan.

‘It’s a win for Bangladesh, for democracy, and for the dreams of our people,’ Rahman proclaimed in his native tongue. He praised the resilience shown in surmounting barriers to democracy, declaring the failure of those who ignored constitutional values and fascist tendencies.

Outlining priorities, Rahman promised robust law enforcement and security across the country under the new BNP-led government. Accountability would be paramount, with direct elections ensuring leaders answer to voters. To safeguard against tyranny or subjugation, he called for unwavering unity and respect for public will.

The overwhelming trust in BNP, Rahman noted, underscores citizens’ confidence, fueling commitments to holistic development. ‘Our views may differ, but for the nation’s good, we must stand together—unity is our greatest power.’

Reflecting with foreign press, he paid tribute to Khaleda Zia, evoking national nostalgia. Thanking rivals, Rahman framed the February 12 results as a genuine mandate. This victory speech not only celebrates BNP’s return to power but signals a renewed democratic chapter for Bangladesh, brimming with hope and resolve.

With vote counts revealing a decisive edge for the Mahayuti alliance, Sachdeva described the results as a ‘historic triumph.’ The coalition, spearheaded by BJP, is poised to form the next government, eclipsing the fragmented opposition. This victory comes after a fiercely contested poll battle marked by high-stakes alliances and aggressive campaigning.

Sachdeva credited Modi’s personal interventions—multiple rallies and strategic outreach—for galvanizing support. Initiatives like PM-KISAN, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and infrastructure blitzes have tangibly improved lives, he argued. ‘The people have spoken: they want Modi’s development model, not empty rhetoric,’ he asserted.

The opposition’s MVA coalition faced routs in key battlegrounds, exposing leadership vacuums and policy flip-flops. Analysts point to voter fatigue with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction as pivotal factors.

Looking forward, Sachdeva outlined an ambitious agenda: enhancing Mumbai’s global city status, boosting manufacturing hubs, and tackling water scarcity. He called on allies to unite for Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’ This Maharashtra mandate reinforces Modi’s dominance ahead of future national challenges, signaling continuity in bold policy-making.

A division bench, comprising Justices Anil S. Kilor and Rajneesh R. Vyas, raised concerns that releasing results in separate phases might unfairly influence voter behavior and the final outcomes of subsequent phases. This judicial intervention came after several municipal wards, including those in Warora and Gondia, filed petitions challenging the Commission’s original plan for phased counting and result declarations.

The petitioners had strongly advocated for a consolidated announcement of all results for each municipal council on a single day, rather than a staggered approach. Voting for Nagar Panchayats and Parishads concluded on Tuesday. In accordance with the court’s directive, the counting for these elections, along with other local body polls voting on December 20, will now occur on December 21.

Meanwhile, the opposition has voiced serious questions regarding the overall election process. Congress leader Nana Patole accused the Election Commission of undermining democratic principles and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to consider impeachment proceedings, a move the Congress party pledged to support. Patole stated that the Election Commission’s methods in the Maharashtra local body elections were a prime example of how democratic systems are being compromised.

Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal echoed these sentiments, highlighting administrative shortcomings and irregularities. He alleged that the Election Commission was acting under the Chief Minister’s direction, pointing to a 40-hour voting postponement and delayed counting as evidence of bias. Sapkal further indicated that approximately 25,000 complaints might have been lodged statewide, asserting that the election had inflicted considerable damage on the democratic fabric.