New Delhi:
Exit polls have predicted a photo-finish in Bihar, where voting in the assembly election ended this evening. Voter turnout was high; at 4 pm, with an hour of voting still left, almost 56 per cent had voted in the fifth and final phase today.
Here are the latest developments:
The India Today-Cicero post poll survey projects an advantage for the BJP and its allies with 120 of Bihar's 243 seats and 117 for the Nitish Kumar-led 'Grand Alliance'.
Another exit poll, that by TV channel News X, predicts a clear majority for the BJP with 126 seats. It predicts that Nitish Kumar's alliance will get 110 seats, according to news agency IANS.
But the Times Now-CVoter exit poll has predicted an edge for the Grand Alliance in Bihar. It has projected that the anti-BJP alliance will get 122 seats, and the BJP along with its allies will get 111.
Final figures are yet to be announced, but this year's election has so far recorded the best voter turnout in years. A highlight has been the big turnout of women voters.
The BJP, which hopes to unseat the Nitish Kumar government, assesses that a higher voter turnout means a vote for change. The rival Nitish Kumar camp contends that a higher voter turnout means that people want to ensure the BJP is kept away.
The BJP has projected no one as chief minister and its campaign was fronted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who addressed over 30 rallies in the state. The party has tied up with three regional parties.
The Grand Alliance brings together Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is seeking a third term, and Lalu Prasad of the RJD, a bitter rival for many years. The Congress is a junior partner.
The campaign for the five-phased election was shrill and bitter, with both sides hurling allegations and strong words against each other right till the last minute. Votes will be counted on Sunday, November 8.
Winning Bihar is crucial for the BJP, which needs to boost its numbers in the Rajya Sabha or Upper House of Parliament, the members of which are elected by legislators in states. The Narendra Modi government is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and has found it tough to push through key reforms.
For the BJP, which had won a series of state elections after it came to power at the Centre last year, was crushed by the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi this year, the last assembly election it contested. It would like a win in Bihar also to set the tone for important state elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu next year and then the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in 2017.
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