India, Nov. 14 -- Tejashwi Yadav has clinched the Raghopur assembly seat, defeating BJP's Satish Kumar by over 14,500 votes, but the comfortable margin belies what was an intensely turbulent day for the RJD giant.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav started Friday on a high note, declaring, "We are going to win. A change is about to come." However, he surely had a see-saw ride, with the trends shifting towards and away from him throughout the day.

It was a neck-and-neck contest in the Raghopur constituency, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Satish Kumar putting up a strong fight against the RJD heavyweight.

Early trends initially appeared to back his optimism. Just 20 ...