Modi concedes defeat in key state election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceded defeat on Sunday in a key election in Bihar, one of India's poorest and largest states, in a major blow for the leader who fronted a no-holds barred campaign.

Modi's Hindu nationalist party was leading in only 58 seats in the 243-seat state assembly compared to 160 for a coalition of rival regional parties, as vote counting continued.

"Had a telephone conversation with Shri Nitish Kumar and congratulated him on the victory," Modi said on Twitter of his main opponent, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.