We’re ahead after Phase 1: Rival fronts

PATNA: NDA and Mahagathbandhan, the main contenders in the race to form government in Bihar, claimed to have outperformed each other after the first of the five-phase polls in the 49 seats that polled Monday.
While the NDA camp claimed victory in 36 seats, the grand alliance said it would win nothing less than 40 seats. "Our reading is based on feedback from party workers.Voters have sent out a clear message," state BJP chief Mangal Pandey said.
Polling in the first phase poll was pegged at 57%, the highest turnout in these seats to date. "Voters' response indicates people want development, our poll plank," Pandey added.

JD(U) leaders, meanwhile, said the high voter turnout indicated support for "development work by CM Nitish Kumar". Party spokesman Ajay Alok said JD(U) candidates would win most of the 24 seats they contested. "The Mahagathbandhan, will win at least 40 of 49 seats," he said.
State Congress president Ashok Choudhary added his party would win at least six of eight seats it contested. RJD national spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha said Bihar's result will be a repeat of Delhi results. "Voting in most seats saw sharp polarization of backwards, Dalits and the upper-caste poor favouring Mahagathbandhan," he added.