The Hindu : National : Bihar: photo-finish predicted

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Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

National

National

Bihar: photo-finish predicted

NEW DELHI, FEB. 23. With the exit polls predicting a fractured mandate in Bihar, a photo-finish is on the cards between the ruling RJD and the BJP-JD(U) combine, while the LJP leader, Ramvilas Paswan, is likely to emerge as a ``king-maker.''

In Jharkhand, the BJP-JD(U) combine has been given a slight edge over the JMM-Congress alliance. After the third and final phase in Bihar, the RJD is projected to win 89 seats less 30 from 119 in the last Assembly, according to Aaj Tak. However, NDTV has predicted 83 seats for the RJD.

The BJP-JD (U) combine will improve its tally to 101, Aaj Tak said.

However, NDTV predicted that the BJP-JD(U) alliance will have to settle for 89 seats.

According to the Zee TV poll for Bihar, the BJP-JD(U) combine and the ruling RJD are in a neck and neck race with 80 seats each, while the Star news has given a slight edge to the BJP-JD(U) alliance, giving it 96 seats and 85 seats to the RJD. It has predicted as many as 26 seats for the LJP.

The Zee poll has given 42 seats to others, including the LJP and the Independents.

In the 81-seat Jharkhand Assembly, the Congress-JMM combine is likely to increase its tally to 28 from 23 in the last elections but will still struggle to form the government as the BJP-JD (U) alliance is likely to win 39 out of the 81 seats.

The RJD is likely to fare badly in Jharkhand as well and expected to win only four seats as against nine in the last elections. — UNI

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