Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates: NDA wants to form govt in Bihar through 'vote chori', says Priyanka Gandhi

"The public in the constituency have been telling me about the state of roads here and urging me to get them repaired. There is also a need for a degree college, Kendra Vidhyalaya, and to set up an industry for employment opportunities," she said.

RJD candidate from Chhapra, Khesari Lal Yadav, was served a notice by Thane's Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. A notice was issued to demolish the illegal construction in a bungalow on Mira Road, ANI reported.

"There has been a very systematic way of taking away eligible voters and bringing in ineligible voters... Aaditya Thackeray also spoke about Maharashtra, his constituency. We have done research on Mumbai and realised that many voter additions and deletions have occurred, which we will bring out at the right time... This calls for the Election Commission to speak up," she said.

"Rahul Gandhi is targeting not just the BJP, but our country's system and the credibility of its institutions. You'll see him target the army. Then, if the court's decision isn't fair, he'll attack the Supreme Court and the judiciary. Questioning the Election Commission, our democratic system, and the credibility of the institutions means you're targeting the country, our system. This is a well-planned conspiracy. I've told you before that there are many forces. there are many such people in India and abroad. They're using Rahul Gandhi as a pawn to harm India's image," Union minister Kiren Rijiju said.

A day before the first phase of polling in the Bihar Assembly elections -- slated for Thursday -- the Jan Suraaj candidate from Munger Assembly constituency snapped ties with his party and jumped ship to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The fledgling party nominee, Sanjay Singh, switched over to the BJP on Wednesday.

He took the BJP membership in the presence of the latter’s Munger candidate Kumar Pranay and extended his support to the NDA alliance.

His sudden withdrawal from the electoral race and switching over to the rival party gives a new twist to what was seen as a triangular contest. The electoral battle for Munger now remains 'fixed' between the NDA and RJD-Cong-led Mahagathbandhan.

After joining the BJP, Sanjay Singh told the media that he believes that Bihar will rise to new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

When questioned on Jan Suraaj, he said that the idea behind the new party was good and resonating among the public, but for bringing ‘real’ change, a firm and robust leadership is required, which the former is unlikely to provide.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma predicted a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in the Bihar elections on Wednesday. He described the atmosphere in Bihar as 'tsunami-like.'

"There's a tsunami-like atmosphere for the BJP and Janata Dal in Bihar, and the BJP, Janata Dal, and all our allies are coming to power," Sarma told ANI.

Addressing Rahul Gandhi's remarks, in which the Lok Sabha leader of opposition alleged that the Indian Army is "under the control of 10% of the country's population," referring to the dominance of upper castes in the force, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma termed Gandhi an enemy of the country and described the statement as an insult to all army personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.

"Rahul Gandhi is an enemy of the country, and the enemies of the country have planted Rahul Gandhi. Go and weaken the judiciary. Weaken the army. Create conflict among the public. This 10% thing is treason. It's an insult to all the army personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the country...he talks nonsense, talks about treason...We should think about why Rahul Gandhi goes abroad again and again. Our government should inquire about this," added Sarma.

Talking about the Mahagathbandhan's promise to deposit 30,000 in the accounts of women on January 14, Sarma claimed that when Tejashwi Yadav did not even deposit three rupees in the account of the women, despite having the capability.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday alleged that the NDA wanted to form the government in Bihar through 'vote chori' and claimed that the names of 65 lakh people, including women, were deleted from the electoral rolls through SIR.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in Valmiki Nagar and Chanpatia in West Champaran district, the Congress general secretary claimed that the current situation in the country was akin to the British Raj, and raised suspicion whether the country would continue to witness elections in the future.

"My brother Rahul today gave an account of 'vote theft' in Haryana," she said, alluding to the allegations of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha of widespread irregularities in assembly elections in the northern state.

"NDA will destroy everything... It is not clear whether there will be elections in the future... Why are you silent? Chase them out of power," Vadra told people attending the rally.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said that he seems more concerned about the absence of RJD leader and INDIA bloc's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav's photograph from a Congress poster than controlling crime and corruption, and educating the youth.

Rahul Gandhi said, "We have the word 'H' Files and this is about how an entire state has been stolen...We suspected that this is not happening in individual constituencies, but at the state level and at the national level. We got a lot of complaints in Haryana, from our candidates, that something was wrong and not working."

"Their predictions all went upside down. We had experienced this in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra but we decided to zoom into Haryana and go into details about what had happened there," he added.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is going to address a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday at 12 PM, where speculation is rife that he may make a major revelation, referred to earlier as a "hydrogen bomb" linked to his allegations of vote theft and irregularities in the electoral rolls.

On September 1, Rahul Gandhi warned the BJP of an impending expose, stating that he will soon unleash a "hydrogen bomb" about his allegations of vote theft, as what was shown about Mahadevpura was just an "atom bomb."

Addressing a gathering on the last day of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', Gandhi launched barbed attacks on the BJP, saying that "forces who murdered Mahatma Gandhi are now trying to destroy the Constitution of India."

The 16-day-long 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' led by Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi is aimed at raising awareness about voter rights and protesting against alleged "vote theft" and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

"The forces who murdered Mahatma Gandhi, the same forces are trying to destroy the Constitution of Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. We will not let them destroy the Constitution of India...We received a lot of support during the yatra. Every youth, children of Bihar stood with us... I want to say to the people of BJP, that, in Mahadevpura, we had shown atom bomb, but soon we will come with hydrogen bomb, BJP get ready. Their truth will be shown to the country. I express gratitude to the people of Bihar for helping us... I guarantee you, after hydrogen bomb, Narendra Modi ji won't be able to show his face to this country..." Rahul Gandhi said in Patna.

Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief and Mahagathbandhan's Deputy Chief Ministerial face Mukesh Sahani on Tuesday said that there is a strong wave of change in Bihar, asserting that people are disillusioned with the Nitish Kumar-led government and are now backing Tejashwi Yadav, whom they associate with employment opportunities.

Sahani stated that the Mahagathbandhan's campaign is drawing tremendous enthusiasm from all sections of society and that "Tejashwi matlab sarkari naukri" (Tejashwi means government jobs) has become a sentiment among the youth.

"It (campaigning) is going on very well. There is great excitement in every community about a change of Government. Everyone is confident - Tejashwi matlab sarkari naukri. People are fed up with the last 20 years of Government," he told reporters in Patna.

On the Bihar election, BJP candidate from Danapur, Ram Kripal Yadav, said, "It is unfortunate that Lalu Prasad Yadav is attending the election campaign of a candidate with a criminal background. His candidate is currently in jail, yet he is campaigning on his behalf... There is no vacancy for the Chief Minister’s post, only Nitish Kumar will be Chief Minister, and no one else..."

Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made a striking claim in Bihar, alleging that country's 10 per cent, referring to upper castes, "hold control over the Army."

Addressing a poll rally in Aurangabad's Kutumba, Rahul said, "90 per cent of the people come from extremely backward, backward, Dalit, and Adivasi communities." He went on to assert that these groups - forming the vast majority of India's population - remain largely excluded from power and privilege.

"All the wealth goes to them, all the jobs go to them. Look at the judiciary - they have control there, and even in the army," Rahul said, in one of his most direct attacks on the country's social and institutional hierarchy.

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "The public has already made its decision. The proof of this is that today, on the last day of the first phase of election campaigning, Tejashwi is panicking and saying that we will deposit so much money into women's accounts. This clearly shows that they are badly troubled and panicked. They too have accepted that the NDA is returning with a massive majority... When there was Lalu Raj, there was fear; today, there is trust. Back then, it was the reign of crime; today, Bihar is a prime state."

BJP MP Ravi Kishan said, "The atmosphere is amazing, historic...Bihar will rise to new heights. Bihar has never seen an election like this before. There's an atmosphere of enthusiasm. Bihar is fighting for its honour...Biharis don't like corruption or jungle raj. They have faith in PM Modi and Nitish Kumar..."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Some young Indians went to Kashmir for tourism. The terrorists there killed 26 people after asking their religion. After that, I called a meeting of the Army Chief, Air Force Chief, the Navy Chief, the National Security Advisor, and I asked only one question: we have to conduct an operation against Pakistan. Are you all ready? They quickly said that we are all ready to conduct the operation. We met the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister called a meeting. After listening to everyone, the Prime Minister said, "There is complete freedom. Play in any way you can. But return only after defeating Pakistan."

While addressing a public rally, BJP National President JP Nadda said, "The people of 'Jungle Raj' are trying to woo people by wearing new attire and making new tempting promises, but their past remains the same, and even today, they are supporters of the 'Gunda Raj' and 'Jungle Raj'. What does RJD mean? R stands for 'Rangdari', J stands for 'Jungle Raj', and D stands for 'Dadagiri'..."

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adiyanath said, "Jungle Raj and hooliganism characterise the RJD and Congress, which are part of their family identity. The individuals who plundered Bihar are 'Khandaani' robbers, and they are now aiming to restore 'Jungle Raj' in Bihar by employing a 'khandaani mafia' as their disciple... It was Congress that denied Ram's existence and RJD that halted the Ram Temple's Rath Yatra. They are allies. SP in UP fired on Lord Ram devotees, drenched Ayodhya in blood... It is we who persisted... The grand Ram temple has finally been built in Ayodhya, which has become one of the world's most beautiful cities."

He added, "now, the Mata Sita Janaki temple will also be constructed in Sitamarhi, with the foundation laid and work started. A corridor is also being built to connect Ayodhya to Sitamarhi. A four-lane road costing Rs 6,155 crore is also being constructed. Can Congress or RJD accomplish this? They probably can't, because these 'Khaandani' robbers divert all development funds for personal gain..."

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said that just as the Congress questioned Lord Ram and the Ram Temple, its 'yuvraj' is now raising questions on Chhath Maiya.

Addressing an election rally in Samastipur, CM Yogi said, "...Under PM Modi's leadership, there is development in Bihar. But RJD and Congress do not have Bihar's development on their agenda. The way Congress raised questions about Lord Ram and Ram Temple, the same way Congress' 'yuvraj' is raising questions on Chhath Maiya..."

This comes after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Darbhanga, said that the BJP staged a "drama" and built a separate pond for PM Modi to take a dip in during Chhath Puja.

"PM Modi said that he will bathe on the Yamuna for Chhath. The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. The water is so dirty that if you enter it, you would get sick or get an infection. But Modi staged a drama. He built a small pond there. They will show you anything for elections. A pipe is installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it. The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe," the Congress leader said.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, the elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.

On NDA and Bihar assembly elections, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said, "I am returning from Patna after attending Nitin Naveen's rally and roadshow. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the country is making significant progress, and under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar has been given a new direction. The opposition's aggressive language indicates the NDA's success..."

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adiyanath says, "...Who knows more about the value of vermilion than Lakhisarai? PM Modi launched 'Operation Sindoor' to protect Sindoor, and the guns and missiles used against the enemies of India's sisters were manufactured by us in Lucknow... This is the difference between 'jungle raj' and good governance. Previously, Bihar's youth faced an identity crisis, and welfare schemes for the poor were unimplemented. Development work was invisible because funds were misappropriated by RJD and Congress leaders driven by nepotism and dynasty politics... In 2005, Bihar's youth, farmers, and citizens supported a strong NDA government led by Nitish Kumar ji. Over 20 years, his leadership laid a foundation for visible development in Bihar..."

Addressing an election rally in Mohiuddinnagar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Your enthusiasm, what does it show? It shows that once again, an NDA government will surely be formed in Bihar. Bihar is known for its glorious past – the birthplace of democracy; the Bihar where Mother Janaki was born, who is revered as Goddess Lakshmi herself; the Bihar that granted enlightenment to Lord Buddha; the Bihar that is the sacred birthplace of the 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavir; the Bihar that gave us the great Maithili poet Vidyapati; the Bihar where the people's leader Karpoori Thakur was born; the Bihar that gave India Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan; the Bihar that gave the nation its first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad. Which Indian would not bow in reverence to such a sacred land? I have closely observed the intelligence, brilliance, and talent of the youth of Bihar. Wherever in the country or the world a citizen of Bihar has gone, they have dedicated all their energy, intellect, and talent to enriching that place."

Union home minister Amit Shah urged voters in Bihar to press the EVM button with the BJP's poll symbol 'lotus' to prevent the return of 'jungle raj' during the RJD rule that had "devastated" the state.

Assam CM & BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "There is a tsunami wave for BJP, JD(U) and LJP....Rahul (Gandhi) is a symbol of bad luck. This is the reason I am telling Assam Congress to invite Rahul..."

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday expressed strong confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure a decisive win in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, claiming the alliance will win "more than 160 seats" and form the next government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. “We will win more than 160 seats and form a government in Bihar,” Shah told Times Now, adding, “Nitish Kumar is the CM here and Narendra Modi is the PM there. The CM’s seat is not vacant, and neither is the PM’s.”

Responding to remarks by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Shah said their comments “reflected the Congress’s frustration”. He added, “Elections are the celebration of democracy, and connecting with people is the duty of every leader.”

At an election rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "In the next 5 years, we will make an engineering and medical college and hospital in every district of the state. We have already built two IT parks and plan to build three more in the state...NDA has decided that we will make a defence corridor in the state..."

Union home minister Amit Shah says, "We will construct Kaushal Vikas Kendras in every district in the state. Every district will get a new factory, and 10 new industrial parks will be constructed in the state. Like UP and Tamil Nadu, we will establish a defence corridor in Bihar."

Addressing a public rally in Cheriya Bariyarpur, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "Tejashwi does, what he says... I want 20 months, whatever they have not been able to do in 20 years, I will do it in 20 months. I am promising to give government job to families who don't have any people with government job. We will provide free electricity to farmers."

With just three days left for the first phase of Bihar polling, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the NDA, accusing the ruling alliance of wanting to "mortgage Bihar" and mocking the BJP as a party of "Gappu and Chappu." Speaking to reporters, he said, "The NDA wants to mortgage Bihar. They're nervous. They're worried because of Tejashwi's promise of jobs, honouring 2500 women. This time, the people of Bihar will choose harmony.... 'BJP Gappu ka mamla hai'... They said they will provide land on the moon, deposit Rs 15 lakhs in the bank account and create crores of jobs."

RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Yadav says, "...The matter at hand is to build Bihar. The announcement we made for farmers today, as soon as we form the Government, we will make the electricity for irrigation free. PACs will be given the designation of public representatives. Rs 300 and Rs 400 respectively in addition to MSP will be given for paddy and wheat. On Mankar Sankranti, 14th January, we will deposit Rs 30,000 into the accounts of women under 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana'."

Patna, Bihar: RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Yadav says, "We will give Rs 300 for paddy and Rs 400 for wheat in addition to the MSP to farmers. We will provide free electricity to farmers for irrigation. Under 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana', on 14th January - Makar Sankranti, after we form the Government we will deposit Rs 30,000 for an entire year into the accounts of women."

Patna, Bihar: RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Yadav says, "We have been campaigning across Bihar. This is the last day of campaigning for the first phase of the election. People are in the mood for a change. This time, the people of Bihar will uproot the Government that has been in power for the last 20 years."

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday responded sharply to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s “bete ki shaadi” remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign in Bihar. Taking to X, Singh said, “Kharge ji, if the Congress Yuvaraj’s marriage ever happens, we will definitely come to it.”

Kharge had mocked the Prime Minister during a rally, saying, “Narendra Modi is roaming around in Bihar as if it’s his son’s wedding... How many times will people vote just by seeing Modi’s face?”

Campaigning in Bihar has reached its peak ahead of the first phase of polling. On Monday, PM Modi accused the RJD and Congress of “political tours to protect infiltrators” and said their “dictionary is filled with words like ‘katta’, cruelty, bitterness, bad manners, bad governance, and corruption.”

Kharge retorted that the Mahagathbandhan would form the next government, alleging that “Modi will not make Nitish Kumar the Chief Minister at any cost.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce attack on the RJD and Congress during rallies in poll-bound Bihar, accusing them of promoting corruption and poor governance. He alleged that “the dictionary of RJD and Congress is filled with words like katta, cruelty, bitterness, bad manners, bad governance, and corruption,” and claimed that under Nitish Kumar, “Jungle Raj ended, and Bihar was transformed into a state of good governance.” Appealing to women and youth, he urged voters to “be vigilant,” declaring that “NDA ki pehchan vikas se hai, aur RJD-Congress ki pehchan vinash se.”

Union home minister Amit Shah cited the Modi government’s “surgical strikes” and asserted that “Bihar is now Naxal-free.”

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra countered that “Bihar does not have any voice” under NDA rule, mocking Modi by suggesting a “Ministry of Insults.” RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav insisted, “The alliance will win. Tejashwi Yadav will become the Chief Minister this time.”

Once an LJP stalwart and now with RJD, Surajbhan, barred from elections due to a past conviction, tells TOI's Bhanu Pratap Singh that RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is young, visionary, and the right choice for Bihar while Nitish Kumar should retire gracefully.

A day before campaigning ends for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for Nov 6, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to Gen Z and first-time voters to exercise their franchise to help form a govt for a “Viksit Bihar”.

Speaking to TOI, Maurya said the BJP was comfortably placed to take on the opposition's PDA propaganda in Bihar.

Yadav addressed rallies in Kalyanpur (East Champaran) for RJD candidate Manoj Yadav, Raghunathpur (Siwan) for Osama Shahab, Maharajganj for Vishal Kumar Jaiswal and Bhabhua (Kaimur) for Ajit Singh.

For most people in Bihar, Marhowra remains a symbol of industrialisation in the state. Even now, whenever there is talk of industrial activity, there are suggestions that the sugar mill in this town near Chhapra should be revived.