November 10, 2020: Why Motichoor Laddus Started Their Journey from 10 Circular Road to 1 Ane Marg

Patna, Bihar: The 2020 Bihar Assembly election counting day was filled with tension, suspense, and unexpected turns—much like a thrilling T20 cricket match. On November 10, 2020, the city of Patna witnessed a unique sight: laddus, the famous motichoor sweets, seemingly “on the move” from 10 Circular Road to 1 Ane Marg. But this was no ordinary journey—it marked the roller-coaster nature of the electoral results that day.

Counting Day Dynamics
The counting of votes began at 8 a.m., and early trends indicated a celebratory mood for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). By 10:30 a.m., however, the excitement at Rabri Devi’s residence at 10 Circular Road came to an abrupt halt as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) began gaining an edge, nearing parity with the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). The sudden shift created tension among party workers, who paused their celebrations as the first round of counting concluded. Meanwhile, the BJP and LJP were cautiously monitoring the situation.

A Neck-and-Neck Contest
By 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., NDA was inching closer to the majority mark, with 129 seats leading, Mahagathbandhan at 101, and LJP candidates leading in four seats. The race tightened after 12 p.m., as 70 constituencies saw a margin of fewer than 1,000 votes between the first and second candidates, creating nail-biting suspense among political observers.

Delayed Results and Heartbeats of Suspense
Around 12:30 p.m., the Election Commission announced potential delays in final results due to a 46% increase in counting centers amid COVID-19 precautions. In 28 constituencies, the margin was as little as 500 votes, keeping the excitement at its peak throughout the day.

NDA Celebrates by Evening
By 2:30 p.m., NDA began to extend its lead, and by 5 p.m., celebrations started at the Bihar BJP office and at Nitish Kumar’s residence on Ane Marg, where laddus were distributed to party workers. Orders had already been placed in advance with local sweet shops, amounting to 60–70 quintals of motichoor laddus to meet the anticipated demand during the victory celebrations. Ultimately, NDA formed the government, ending the suspense-filled day.

Behind the Laddus’ Journey
The laddus symbolized more than just sweets—they represented joy, celebration, and the stakes of electoral politics. Sweet shops across Patna had prepared in advance, expecting surges in demand as party workers and supporters celebrated each political twist and turn.