P O L L    U P D A T E

JD(U)-BJP set for a sweep in Bihar

Patna, November 22
The JD(U)-BJP combine appeared set for a near sweep in the Bihar elections with the alliance winning 12 of the 13 seats for which results were declared and projected to get over 140 seats in the 243-seat Assembly.

Bringing the curtains down on the 15-year Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi reign in the state, the Nitish Kumar-led NDA was leading in 144 seats while the RJD-Congress combine was ahead in 67 seats. RJD has won only one seat, so far.

"Others" led in 32 constitutiencies with the Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP ceasing to be the kingmaker this time. His party was leading in only 17 constituencies against 29 seats won in the elections in March last.

While Ram Vilas' brother Pasupati Kumar Paras won from Alauli seat, Chief Minister Rabri Devi was involved in a sea-saw battle leading at one time and trailing at another in the Raghopur seat against JD (U)'s Satish Kumar.

The JD(U)-BJP combine, which was short of the halfway mark by 31 seats in the elections eight months ago, was leading in many of the RJD strongholds in various parts of the state.

Paswan virtually conceded defeat when he said the adverse results for the LJP and RJD, both constituents of the UPA government, will have no no negative impact on the UPA government at the Centre.

Both Nitish Kumar, who is in Delhi savouring the victory, and Lalu Yadav in Patna, have not not made any comments on the results. — PTI

Lalu Prasad Yadav accepts defeat

Patna, November 22
RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav today accepted his party's defeat in the Assembly elections in Bihar and greeted NDA's Chief Ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar for the victory.

"We accept the people's verdict happily," he told reporters here.

"We happily accept the the mandate of the assembly elections," Prasad said adding that the RJD would "fully cooperate" with the new government in the state.

"I hope the the new government succeeds in keeping the promises it made during the polls and no Bihari will go out of the state," he said. — PTI

Bihar results a victory of the people: Nitish

New Delhi, November 22
Describing the NDA's sweep in Bihar as a "victory of the people," its Chief Ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar today said it would work to fulfil their ambitions and provide "good governance."

"I want to congratulate the people of Bihar. It is their victory, they wanted a change and they voted for a change," Kumar said in his first reaction after the alliance's victory became clear.

"Every caste, every community in the state voted for change and stability. People in Bihar wanted good governance and we are grateful thay have reposed faith in us. We will try to fulfil their ambitions," he told reporters outside his residence here. PTI