NEW DELHI: NDA is banking on its reinforced alliance and the appeal of its welfare measures in regions going to polls in Bihar on Thursday to turn the tide in its favour in areas where the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) had edged past it in the last assembly election. In 2020, RJD-led opposition had won 61 of the 121 seats that go to polls in the first phase, against NDA's 59, performing strongly in Shahabad region and key districts such as Patna, Bhojpur, Saran and Siwan. Back then, Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha, who headed RLSP, had fought separately, helping MGB gain ground in several constituencies, including Begusarai and Buxar. With both Paswan and Kushwaha back in NDA, alliance netas now believe their social coalition has been significantly strengthened. They

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