The Congress-JVM(P) alliance was leading in 20 seats and the BJP-JDU combine was ahead in 19, according to trends available for 70 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly.
JMM, a former UPA partner which contested the poll on its own, was leading in 12 seats. JMM chief Shibu Soren had already said that his party was open to a post poll tieup.
The Congress was leading in 10 seats and ally JVM-P of former chief minister Babulal Marandi in 10. BJP is leading in 17 seats and ally JDU in two.
The AJSU, which also contested sans alliance, was leading in two seats. The CPI(ML-L) was ahead in two.
Former chief minister Madhu Koda's wife Geeta Koda was leading from the Jagannathpur assembly constituency which was twice represented by her husband.
Among those trailing were Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee chief Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu from Ghatshila, Assembly Speaker and Congress candidate Alamgir Alam in Pakur, deputy chief minister and Congress candidate Stephen Marandi from Dumka.
JMM chief Shibu Soren's son Heman Soren was in third position in Dumka where Lois Marandi of the BJP is leading.