NEW DELHI: Campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies, concluded on Tuesday evening, marking the end of a high-octane political blitz by both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. The campaign officially ended at 6 pm, with top leaders from across the political spectrum making a final push to sway voters.
Union home minister Amit Shah addressed three rallies, while defence minister Rajnath Singh covered five public meetings. BJP president JP Nadda led a roadshow and addressed a rally, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held three public meetings as part of the opposition’s final outreach.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted virtually with the BJP’s women cadre in the state, while chief minister Nitish Kumar held several meetings to consolidate support for the NDA. RJD leader
Tejashwi Yadav, meanwhile, crisscrossed the state with a series of rallies, seeking to energise the opposition’s base.
Among other prominent campaigners on the final day were Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, and former Union minister Smriti Irani.
Here's what happened in the first phase:
Nitish's personal appeal to Bihar voters
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar released a video message for the voters ahead of assembly elections, thanking them for their support to JD(U) since 2005 and urged them to vote in large to ensure victory of NDA candidates
The JD(U) supremo also took a dig at Lalu Prasad Yadav over dynastic politics, saying that "we did nothing for own family." In a video message, Kumar thanked the people of Bihar for supporting him and his party since 2005 and lashed out at the previous government, saying, "The situation of the first system was terrible."
Jan Suraaj worker's killing sparked political storm
The killing of 76-year-old Dularchand Yadav in Mokama turned into one of the most explosive flashpoints of the Bihar election. Yadav, a former strongman campaigning for a Jan Suraaj candidate, was shot dead during a local event, triggering outrage and political blame-games. The Election Commission has sought a detailed report from the state DGP amid rising tension in the area, with parties accusing one another of using violence to sway the poll narrative.
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JD(U) candidate and political heavyweight
Anant Singh was arrested in connection with the killing of Dularchand Yadav, days before polling in Mokama. The arrest of the influential leader, long associated with Bihar’s bahubali politics, sent shockwaves through the ruling alliance and reignited debates over crime and politics. Singh’s detention turned the Mokama seat into a high-stakes prestige battle.
FIR against Lalan Singh
Union minister Lalan Singh found himself in legal crosshairs after a video of his “controversial” campaign remark went viral. Police registered an FIR against the JD(U) leader following opposition complaints that his statement undermined the Election Commission’s authority. The issue has quickly snowballed into a new controversy, with rival parties accusing Singh of arrogance and misuse of office.
Chhath Puja politics
As Bihar celebrated the sacred festival of Chhath, the festive fervour blended into plolitics, with leaders across parties are using the festival’s mass appeal to connect with voters, visiting ghats, offering prayers, and invoking cultural pride.
During a rally in Bihar's Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi had taken a swipe at the Delhi BJP's preparation for Chhath Puja on the bank of the Yamuna, saying: “They staged a drama and showed the truth of India...The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. Later, PM Modi launched a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi for allegedly insulting Chhathi Maiya, questioning: “Will Bihar and Hindustan forgive those who insulted even Chhathi Maiya for votes?”
Echoes of “jungle raj”
The BJP and its allies revived the “jungle raj” refrain to corner the RJD, warning voters against a return to the lawlessness of the 1990s. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has hit back, calling the charge outdated and irrelevant. However, the “jungle raj” label has once again become a central talking point, an emotive reminder of Bihar’s political past shaping its electoral present.
Efforts to woo women voters
With women emerging as a decisive voting bloc, all major parties ramped up their outreach to female voters. The NDA wooed on welfare schemes, including the Rs 10,000 cash transfer to women 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana', to consolidate its support base, while the opposition INDIA bloc countered with Tejashwi Yadav’s promise of Rs 30,000 under their 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana' on the day of 'Makar Sankranti' (on January 14). From kitchen economics to empowerment slogans, gender-focused messaging has become a defining feature of Bihar’s election campaign.
Tejashwi’s big poll promise
In a high-stakes pre-poll move, RJD neta and INDIA bloc coordination committee chairman Tejashwi Prasad Yadav promised a government job for every household in Bihar and pledged to introduce the legislation within just 20 days of taking office. "NDA government could not provide jobs to the youth in 20 years, but we will bring the Act within 20 days of coming to power and also ensure its implementation within 20 months," Tejashwi said.
Tejashwi vs Tej Pratap rift widens
The sibling rivalry between Lalu Prasad Yadav’s sons, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, turned vicious as Tejashwi campaigned for the RJD candidate in Mahua, an assembly constituency from where Tej Pratap is contesting after being expelled from the RJD. Tej Pratp is in the fray from Janshakti Janta Dal, the party which he formed ahead of the polls.
Tej Pratap’s independent posturing and social-media jibes have forced the RJD leadership into damage control, even as Tejashwi leads the opposition’s charge. The feud has provided fodder for the ruling camp, which paints it as a sign of disunity within the Yadav family.
Lalu’s Halloween row
A video of Lalu Prasad Yadav celebrating Halloween with his grandchildren has spiralled into a political flashpoint. BJP leaders accused him of mocking Maha Kumbh but celebrating the Western festival, while RJD supporters dismissed the criticism as petty electioneering. The episode, though trivial, illustrated the charged atmosphere of the Bihar poll.
Prashant Kishor steps back
Political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor said he won’t be contesting the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, even as his Jan Suraaj movement fields candidates across select constituencies. The decision, he said, was guided by his party's consensus that he would campaign for all Jan Suraaj's candidates rather than restricting himself to one constituency. However, the opposition mocked him for 'laying down arms before the battle'.
Key battlegrounds in the first phase include Raghopur, where RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav is contesting; Mahua, where his brother Tej Pratap Yadav is in the fray with his new political outfit; and Tarapur, where deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary is testing his electoral strength.
Polling for the first phase will be held on November 6, setting the stage for a crucial test of strength between Bihar’s two main political camps.
Final day push
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