Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge - Voter turnout in the third pha- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Voter turnout in the third phase of Bihar's assembly elections surpassed the polling figures of five years ago and the BJP is seeing it as a sign that it has acquired a lead over the secular "alliance".

In This Pic : Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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That's because voters turned out in larger numbers in the area that's supposed to be more favourable to the BJP's bid to wrest power in Patna. Saffron strategists believe that their "change-for-development" pitch has resonated well.

In This Pic : Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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In the 2010 assembly polls, the BJP won 20 of the 50 constituencies in the comparable round. The NDA led in 37 of these in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

In This Pic : Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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In last year's general elections, it polled the same percentage of votes — 42% — as the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress put together.

In This Pic : Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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While exact replications are rare because the public moos idn't constant, the BJP derives appears confiedent for several reasons. There's little sign of OBC voters getting polarized against the BJP, despite Lalu Prasad using Mohan Bhagwat's reservations comment to dub the BJP anti-quota.

In This Pic : Bihar elections: Saffron hopes surge

Pic Courtesy : BCCL - Non Copyright