Bihar Assembly elections: Phase one polling begins today after heated campaign battles

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that he will visit Bihar on November 7 and 8 to campaign for NDA candidates in Motihari and Aurangabad ahead of the assembly elections. Speaking at a ‘Bihar Samvad’ event held in Poisar, Mumbai, Shinde addressed members of the Bihar community and urged them to support the NDA alliance. He said, “Your birthplace may be Bihar, but Maharashtra is your workplace. You have blended here like sugar in milk.”

Shinde appealed to voters, saying, “Do you want the return of jungle raj in Bihar, or do you want development and employment?” He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s welfare schemes, noting, “PM Modi has given ₹10,000 to Bihar’s beloved sisters, and today women in Bihar can walk freely even at night.” Encouraging the crowd to reach out to their families back home, Shinde added, “After this meeting, call your relatives in your villages and ask them to vote for NDA candidates. We must bring back the Modi government and support Nitish Kumar for Bihar’s progress.”

He further said, “I am going to Bihar for campaigning. Development happens only when the state and the Centre work together. So, make sure to tell everyone in your districts to vote for the NDA.”

Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde says, "The elections in Bihar are being fought on the issue of development. The people of Bihar don't want jungle raj, hooliganism, or corruption. They want PM Modi's kind of development... That's why I've appealed to the people of Bihar to urge their relatives in Bihar to support the NDA and PM Modi in the elections tomorrow..."

Bihar is all set for the first phase of assembly elections on Thursday, where 3.75 crore voters will determine the fate of 1,314 candidates. Voting in this phase will take place at 45,341 polling stations across 121 constituencies. After weeks of intense campaigning, filled with rallies and personal attacks, the election campaign officially concluded on Tuesday evening. The stakes are particularly high in this phase, with several prominent political figures contesting crucial seats. Read the full story here 

Singer and BJP candidate from Alinagar seat, Maithili Thakur says, "I have been working hard in my constituency and its result will be seen on the faces of people tomorrow. I have received so many blessings from the people here that I have found something beyond victory or loss. Wherever I went, I was welcomed with open arms and received blessings. The women I have met have spoken about the help they have received and changes they have seen during the NDA term in Bihar in the last 20 years. They want PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar."

On Rahul Gandhi's claims of voter fraud in Haryana elections, RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav says, "There are no two opinions about the fact that the BJP does all these things. BJP wants to remove the Dalits, Backward Classes and minorities from the constitutional process. The people of the BJP are enemies of Dalits. We are alert about this in Bihar."

Mokama SDM Ashish Kumar, speaking on poll preparations, says, “We have a total of 342 booths in the Mokama constituency. Polling parties have been dispatched with election materials, and all preparations for the Assembly elections are complete. I appeal to everyone to come out in large numbers and take part in this celebration of democracy.”

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has issued a notice to RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav. According to officials, the notice was sent over illegal activities and unauthorized construction at his bungalow located in Mira Road.

On Rahul Gandhi's allegations of voter fraud in Haryana polls, Haryana Minister Anil Vij says, "Rahul Gandhi should tell the country how many hydrogen, nuclear bombs does he have? He throws empty bombs. Rahul Gandhi never mentioned how many of the polls he cited were actually cast. Where were their polling agents? What was his party doing? Rahul Gandhi is an expert in making 'jhooth ka halwa'."

On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's claims of vote rigging in Haryana elections, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, "Is Rahul Gandhi the Election Commission, God or some certificate-giving agency? Why should people believe him?... Congress used to win until voters were not required to cast their votes on Voter ID cards. Once voter ID cards were made compulsory, Congress stopped winning. In their rule, they captured booths and even imposed an Emergency to protect their chair... People are not going to fall for all this, NDA is going to form the govt in Bihar..."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing a public meeting says, “First Congress, and then RJD, looted this state. They created an identity crisis, snatched away employment opportunities from the youth, and left hardworking farmers in distress. The poor were deprived of the benefits of welfare schemes, while the funds meant for development were spent on the growth of their own families. What was the result? Everything was ruined — Naxalism spread, Maoism spread, mafia rule spread, and a parallel government of mafias began operating alongside the state. The Bihar that once led the nation was pushed by Congress and RJD into an identity crisis, dragging its youth and citizens down. They even drove the farmers, the providers of food, to the brink of suicide…”

On Rahul Gandhi's comment "10% of the population have control over army", Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "Modi ji ko main sujhaav deti hoon ki woh ek 'apmaan' mantralaya khol le'... My brother did not say anything that would insult the Army. My brother wants the well-being of the military and is a devotee of this country. He stands up against these people; he is fearless and shows the truth to the entire nation..."

Addressing an election rally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "During RJD's tenure, there was an atmosphere of fear in Bihar. Their CM faced many serious corruption allegations. In the last 20 years, Nitish Kumar has proved that the government can be run sincerely. No one can point a finger at him...Will you elect such people (RJD) again? The decision is in your hands..."

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "...This is Modi ji's empire where you get no help, and your loans are never waived off. But the crores of loans of big industrialists, of Ambani and Adani are waived off. This is Modi ji's empire, where Bihar's strong education system is completely derailed. He makes tall claims, but he has nothing to show..."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses a public rally in Valmiki Nagar. She said, "They keep abusing Jawaharlal Nehru, blaming him for every single flaw. Today, an American person (Zohran Mamdani) has won the election, and he spoke about Jawaharlal Nehru. And here, BJP leaders are abusing him."

Rahul Gandhi has no option left but to jump into the pond, claimed Rajnath Singh, referring tothe  Congress leader's recent fishing bid in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi trying to create anarchy by demanding reservations in defence forces, alleged Rajnath Singh at a Bihar rally.

Congress never wanted better roads in border areas, claimed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Banka rally in poll-bound Bihar.

RJD leaders used to threaten people, never worked for Bihar's development, allegeed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Banka poll rally.

On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said, "This is not only shameful but also unfortunate. If this is LoP's thinking, who is viewing our army in terms of caste and religion, what could be more unfortunate than this... If you are so concerned, then tell me who was in power in this country for the longest time? You and your family members. If you wanted to divide the army in the name of the case, you could have done it... The army is a subject that should not be politicised. He has insulted the soldiers..."

He further said, "... 'Agar yeh (RJD and allies) galti se bhi aa gaye toh Bihar mein aatank macha denge'..."

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday hit back at Union Minister and JDU leader Lalan Singh over his controversial remark made during a roadshow in support of party candidate Anant Singh for the Mokama assembly by-election. Addressing a rally in Mohiuddin Nagar in Samastipur, Yadav said, "Lalan Singh said that no poor, extremely backward person should be allowed to leave their homes to vote. Ye kya baap ka raaj hain? v ke baap ka raaj hain? (Is this his father's rule? Is this Lalan Singh's rule?) Democracy and Baba Saheb's Constitution have given everyone, whether the Prime Minister or a laborer, the right to cast a vote. These dictators must be taught a lesson. Where is this Election Commission?" READ

On his viral video and FIR against him over the same, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "That is only one chunk of the video, it is not the complete video. People should watch the complete video. If an FIR has been registered, the complete video will be investigated. I will be questioned and I will answer. The entire thing is recorded. RJD's people are habitual of pulling up one chunk, making it viral, tweeting and misleading..."

On Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) candidate Santosh Sahani withdrawing his nomination from Gaura Bauram constituency,  RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "This is their decision...."

Union Minister Nityanand Rai said, "The campaigning for the first phase is over. And the voting for the second phase will also be completed on November 11...Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the Ganga of development is reaching every village, every person, every home and our NDA Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji has successfully delivered it. People witnessed the jungle raj, an atmosphere of fear, migration from Bihar, a crippled education and healthcare system, and broken roads, which discredited Bihar and kept it miles away from development. Since 2005, the people of Bihar have witnessed development. They have seen electricity in their villages and homes...Therefore, people are not looking towards jungle raj but towards development, and the NDA will form the government."

RJD candidate from Khajauli constituency Brijkishor Yadav said, "It is an election, but the way the local MLA has neglected the common people, that neglect has now turned into public outrage, and that is now going to be converted into votes. That’s why we don’t see this as a challenge from anyone. There are not just a few issues, it’s an entire mountain of them. This will be the first urban area in all of Bihar where there is a sub-divisional hospital but no X-ray machine, no gynecologist for cesarean deliveries, no ultrasound facility."

Key constituencies set to vote in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections include several high-profile and politically significant seats. Among them are Raghopur, where Tejashwi Yadav is seeking re-election, and Mahua, where his brother Tej Pratap Yadav is contesting under his new political outfit. Tarapur, the constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, will also see an intense battle. Other notable seats in focus include Alinagar, where singer Maithili Thakur is contesting on a BJP ticket, and Lakhisarai, represented by Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha. In Mokama, JD(U) candidate and strongman Anant Singh—recently arrested in connection with the murder of his opponent Dular Chand Yadav—is in the fray. Meanwhile, in Raghunathpur, RJD has fielded Osama Shahab, the son of late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also campaign in Bihar today, as the first phase of voting is scheduled for Thursday.

BJP President JP Nadda is scheduled to hold rallies in the East and West Champaran districts today. Assembly seats in these areas will vote in the second phase on 11 November.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in Mohiuddinnagar, Samastipur district, on Tuesday that action will now be taken against the mafia in Bihar and their wealth will be distributed among the poor. He also said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will once again establish Bihar as the land of knowledge.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav arrived in Patna's Phulwari Sharif assembly constituency on Tuesday. Due to poor health, Lalu's presence on public platforms has been rare for a long time. His visit to Phulwari Sharif is being seen as a "road show" of sorts.

Prashant Kishore, founder of Jan Suraj, said, "Nitish Kumar used his officials to loot Bihar for the last five years, and now that elections are near, he's giving Rs 5,000-10,000 to the women of the state... If he gets votes from Mohania, Rohtas, and Patna, should he set up factories in Bihar or Gujarat?"

The first phase of voting for the Bihar Assembly elections is scheduled for November 6. Voting will take place in 122 seats in this phase. Polling for the remaining 122 seats will be held on November 11 in the second phase, and the votes will be counted on November 14.

The high-voltage campaign for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies, ended on Tuesday evening, after weeks of acrimonious exchanges, personal attacks, and divisive rhetoric. Senior leaders from several parties, including the BJP, JDU, RJD, and Congress, campaigned vigorously in various districts of the state.