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Patna, Nov 14 (IANS) Popular folk singer and BJP candidate Maithili Thakur from Alinagar Assembly seat in Bihar’s Darbhanga is leading over RJD’s Binod Mishra, according to early trends from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Thakur, who is making her electoral debut, was leading by 4,113 votes, according to Election Commission trends at 10.40 am.
Playing a decisive role with her strong fan base in Mithilanchal, the 25-year-old singer from Benipatti in Madhubani district was nominated by the BJP in a strategic move to leverage her popularity among youth and cultural enthusiasts to increase her appeal in the region, where Alinagar has emerged as a key battleground seat.
Meanwhile, the NDA has crossed the important milestone of 122 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections, with early trends from the ECI indicating that the alliance is leading on over 150 seats.
122 seats are needed for majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
According to the ECI, as of 10.30 am, the ruling NDA was leading in 172 seats – BJP was leading in 73, JDU 77, LJP (RV) 18 and HAMS was leading in four seats.
Meanwhile, the opposition grand alliance is leading on 54 seats – RJD on 42 seats, Congress on seven seats and CPI (ML) (L) on five seats.
The counting process for all 243 assembly seats began at 8 am, starting with the verification of postal ballots. This was followed by counting of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes from 8.30 am, which took place under elaborate multi-layered security arrangements across the state.
The candidates of both the alliances expressed confidence in their performance. NDA leaders emphasized that the people of Bihar have reposed faith in the guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the work of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the development of the state.
The RJD-led grand alliance claimed that Bihar “voted for change” and expressed hope that Tejashwi Yadav would form the next government.
–IANS
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