Secular alliance ahead in 7 seats in Bihar, BJP in three

, Aug 25: Secular alliance comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress is leading in

with alliance candidates ahead in seven seats and BJP in three of the ten Assembly seats.

The trends made available by the Election Commission at 10:30 AM show the secular alliance parties leading in 7 seats with the RJD and JD(U) leading in three each and Congress in 1 seat.

BJP was leading in six seats while secular alliance comprising RJD, JD(U) and Congress is ahead in 4 seats of the total 10 Assembly seats where bypoll was held on August 21.

According to trends made available by the Election Office at 9 AM, an hour after counting began, BJP is leading at Narkatiaganj, Rajnagar (SC), Jale, Hajipur, Banka and Mohania (SC). RJD is ahead at Chapra and Mohiuddinagar, the EC office statement said.

JD(U) and Congress are leading at Parbatta and Bhagalpur respectively, it said. The outcome of the bypoll is being considered as a "semi-final" before the crucial state poll next year as it will prove whether regrouping of "Mandal forces" against BJP has paid or not.

For BJP the challenge is to maintain its winning streak it had registered in the state in the general election. Of the 10 seats that went to bypoll, BJP had 6 seats in the 2010 Assembly election while RJD had 3 and JD(U) 1.

PTI