A survey has predicted that the BJP-led NDA will win a majority in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, seen as a crucial test of Narendra Modi government's popularity. 

The alliance is expected to win 140 seats out of the 243 seats in the elections, according to a pre poll survey conducted by Zee Media Group.

On the other hand, the grand alliance comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Janata Dal (United), the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) will win just 70 seats, the survey showed.

The survey said there will be a tight contest in the remaining 33 seats and it is difficult to predict the winner in those constituencies.

As per the seat sharing agreement finalised last week, the BJP will content 160 seats while the rest will be contested by the other three NDA allies - Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti party (LJP) and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).

The survey showed 41.2% of Muslims in the state will vote for the NDA while the rest of the Muslims are in favour of the grand alliance led by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

The BJP-led alliance is expected to win 52.6% of the Hindu votes, while 40.8% Hindus are likely to opt for the grand alliance.

Among Yadavs, who are considered crucial, apart from Muslim voters, 47.8% are expected to vote for the NDA while 47.5% of them are forecast to go for the grand alliance.

The five-phase Bihar assembly elections will start on 12 October and end on 5 November. The counting of votes will take place on 8 November.

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