Patna, Nov 14 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Ministers and BJP figures, Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, are demonstrating strong leads in their respective assembly constituencies, as preliminary results indicated on Friday.

As the NDA anticipates a substantial victory, the initial data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) around noon revealed that Samrat Choudhary is ahead with over 28,000 votes in the Tarapur Assembly seat, while RJD's Arun Kumar trails by over 6,000 votes.

Additionally, after a slow start, Vijay Kumar Sinha has surged ahead with more than 20,000 votes in the Lakhisarai Assembly seat, leaving Congress' Amaresh Kumar behind by over 5,300 votes.

Moreover, the BJP is emerging as the largest party in the Bihar assembly elections, currently leading in 85 of the 243 seats.

As of noon, the BJP has taken the lead in 85 seats, securing its status as the single-largest party, while the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) is leading in 77 seats.

Both of these parties, allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are vying for a return to power under Nitish Kumar.

Just an hour earlier, at 11:00 a.m., the JD(U) was leading in 83 seats, with the BJP ahead in 78 seats.

Within the next half-hour, the competition between the allied parties intensified for the title of the largest party.

The NDA is currently leading in 188 seats, with the Mahagathbandhan trailing at 47 seats.

The counting for all 243 Assembly seats began at 8 a.m., starting with postal ballot scrutiny, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes from 8:30 a.m., all under extensive multi-layered security across the state.

Candidates from both alliances expressed confidence in their outcomes. NDA leaders asserted that the people of Bihar had shown their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promises and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's developmental work.

The Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD, claimed that Bihar had 'voted for change' and expressed hope that Tejashwi Yadav would lead the next government.

The counting process is supervised by 243 Returning Officers and an equal number of Counting Observers appointed by the Election Commission.

Over 18,000 counting agents representing various candidates are present at the counting centers to closely monitor the process.

Entry to counting centers is strictly limited to those with valid passes, and the use of mobile phones within counting halls is completely prohibited.

This election saw participation from more than 70 crore voters who cast their votes to determine the fate of both the ruling NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. Voting occurred in two phases on November 6 and 11.

In the outgoing Assembly, the NDA holds 131 seats, which includes BJP's 80, JD(U)'s 45, four from HAM(S), and two Independents. The Opposition bloc has 111 seats, with the RJD holding 77, Congress 19, CPI(ML) 11, CPI(M) two, and CPI two.