Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, November 10
In a see-saw battle that Bihar has been witnessing after about 20 per cent votes count by noon, NDA and Grand Alliance are locked in close contest for 243 assembly seats.
After four hours of counting, celebrations started at JDU office and party workers carrying photos of their national president Nitish Kumar were heard shouting Nitish jindabad slogan.
The left parties have for the first time in Bihar have got lead in over 20 seats.
Former chief minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi faces an imminent defeat as his rival, former speaker of Bihar assembly Uday Narayan Chaudhary has established a convincing margin of 4000 votes.
Surprise came from Seemanchal region dominated by Muslims as NDA candidates are leading in. 26 constituencies against six by Grand Alliance.
It was at Dhamdaha in Seemanchal that Nitish Kumar had made an emotional appeal saying that was his last election.
Till noon, it was 127 for NDA and 106 for Grand Alliance.
