NDA wins Bihar polls, Nitish to take over as CM

Riding the crest of a wave for change in Bihar, the JD (U)-BJP combine today won an absolute majority wresting power from Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD, which had an uninterrupted reign for 15 years.

The Nitish Kumar led-NDA bagged 140 seats - 18 more than the half way mark of 122. While Kumar's JD-U won 86 seats, BJP won 54 seats as against 55 and 37, respectively, in the March elections which had thrown up a hung verdict.

He is expected to be elected leader of the JD (U)-BJP legislature party, and likely to be sworn in on Thursday at the Gandhi Maidan here.

RJD, which had a vice-like grip on power since 1990, finally lost in the battle of ballots, and could secure only 53 seats. Its alliance partner Congress won nine seats - one less than last time. RJD had won 75 seats in the last elections.