India, Nov. 14 -- In a closely contested race, Bihar's incumbent health minister, Mangal Pandey, of the Bharatiya Janata Party is currently leading in one of the key constituencies in Bihar, Siwan, with 59,450 votes. He held a margin of 9,449 votes over Awadh Bihari Choudhary of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, who trailed with 50,001 votes, ECI data indicated.

Meanwhile Mohammad Kaifi Samshir of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen lagged far behind with 2,455 votes.

The first phase of polling for the Bihar elections took place on November 6, followed by the second phase on November 11. A party or alliance needs 122 seats to secure a majority in the 243-member state assembly.

The senior BJP leader is the current health minister of Biha...