India, Nov. 14 -- Counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly elections began on Friday, with early trends placing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead in 65 seats.

The Mahagathbandhan was leading in 41 constituencies, while other parties were ahead in four.

The initial trends were broadly in line with exit poll forecasts, which had indicated an edge for the NDA over the opposition bloc.

This would mark a drop from the RJD's 2020 tally of 75 seats but point to a shift in the state's political landscape.

On average, exit polls placed the BJP at 69 seats, JD(U) at 62, and the RJD at 63, suggesting a close contest for the second position.

Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-serving chief minister, stands to further strengthen his positio...