Patna:  The National Democratic Alliance is moving close to a sweeping victory in the Bihar Assembly elections as counting trends show the bloc nearing the 200 seat mark. Early results indicate a strong wave in favour of the NDA while the opposition is struggling to keep pace.

According to the latest updates, the NDA is leading in a large majority of the 243 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal United and the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas together hold a clear advantage across most regions of the state. The BJP is ahead in many constituencies, followed closely by the JDU and LJP RV.

The opposition alliance led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal is far behind. The RJD is leading in around 30 seats while the Congress has failed to cross even single digit leads in the state. Many of the party’s key candidates are trailing and the alliance appears to have lost the momentum it hoped to build during the campaign.

Tejashwi Yadav, who had been projected as the main challenger to the NDA, is also facing stiff competition in Raghopur. His contest has turned into a tight race, showing that the expected support for the RJD has not translated strongly on the ground.

Voter turnout in the state was high at over 67 percent. Political observers believe this has played a role in the strong showing of the NDA, which appears to have gained the confidence of a large section of voters.

As counting continues, the NDA looks set to form the next government with a comfortable majority. The final results are expected to confirm a decisive mandate in favour of the ruling alliance.