A pre-poll survey has predicted a tight contest between the BJP-led NDA and the grand alliance in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, with the former winning 119 seats, just three seats away from reaching the majority figure of 122 seats.
On the other, the grand alliance comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Janata Dal (United), the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) is projected to win 116 seats, according to the India TV-C Voter survey.
The survey showed remaining eight seats to be won by other parties in the elections to be held for 243 seats in Bihar assembly, Business Standard reported.
Overall, the BJP-led alliance is expected to get 43% of the vote share, while its opponent, the grand alliance, is projected to garner 41% of the vote bank.
Last month, a survey conducted by Zee Media Group had showed that the NDA alliance would win 140 seats, while the grand alliance was expected to claim victory in just 70 seats.
The survey showed 41.2% of Muslims in the state will vote for the NDA while the rest of the Muslims are in favour of the grand alliance led by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
As per the seat sharing agreement finalised last week, the BJP will contest 160 seats while the rest will be contested by the other three NDA allies -- Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti party (LJP) and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).
The five-phase Bihar assembly elections will start on 12 October and end on 5 November. The counting of votes will take place on 8 November.
