Star pollster Axis My India-India Today predicts Mahagathbandhan sweep in Bihar with 139-161 seats

The third and final phase of voting closed in Bihar today. In the state's Assembly, 243 seats are up for grabs, contested hotly by national and local parties.

While the results of the elections will be declared on November 10, exit polls began pouring in soon after voting ended this evening.

Axis My India, the Mumbai-based pollster known for more hits than misses, partnered with India Today for the 36th election in four years.

The pollster predicted a sweep by Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Grand Alliance with 139-161 seats across the state's 38 districts. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, it said, will garner 69-91 seats.

The pollster added that development and jobs are the primary electoral issues in Bihar. RJD candidate Tejashwi Yadav, it said, is the favourite face for the Chief Minister's office

Other exit polls also predicted superior chances for the RJD-led Grand Alliance. Today’s Chanakya projected 44 percent votes for it, over 10 percentage points more than the NDA. It gave 55 seats to NDA — the lowest by any pollster — and 180 to the Grand Alliance.

The poll by TV9 Bharatvarsh said the NDA would pocket 110-120 seats in Bihar while the Grand Alliance will pick up 115-125 seats.

Republic TV- Jan Ki Baat handed a triumph to the Grand Alliance, predicting 118 to 138 seats, while containing the NDA between 91 and 117 seats.

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