Tuesday, November 22 2005 11:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The JD(U)-BJP combine today (Nov 22, 2005) was poised to get an absolute majority, ending the 15-year reign of RJD, in the elections to the 243-member Bihar assembly, with trends at 1030 hours indicating that NDA would get over 140 seats.

The trends show that NDA has established clear leads in some 137 constituencies, surpassing the magic figure of 12 with Lalu Prasad-led RJD turning a laggard with leads in around 65 seats, much less than the 75 it bagged in the February polls.

Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP was leading in around 17 seats with the Union Minister conceding that the game has been lost for him.

The trends showed a clear anti-incumbency feeling in the state ruled by Lalu Prasad since 1989 when the then Janata Dal strode to power on the Mandal plank that transformed th political scenario in the crucial north Indian state with backwards gaining centrestage.

'Others' are leading in 15 seats as trends for 237 seats are available.

A close associate of Prasad till a decade ago, Nitish Kumar parted ways with the RJD supremo following differences over his style of functioning.