• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Bihar Assembly Elections: Campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections ended on Tuesday, bringing a temporary halt to the vigorous political activities of both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. The campaigning officially concluded at 6 pm on Tuesday, with top politicians making a final push to woo voters.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed three rallies, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended five public meetings. BJP president JP Nadda held a roadshow and addressed a rally. On the other side, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav toured several parts of the state with a series of rallies to energise the opposition camp. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also addressed rallies.

What Happened In The First Phase:

Nitish's Personal Appeal To Bihar Voters

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar released a video message for voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, thanking them for supporting the JD(U) since 2005 and urging them to vote in large numbers to ensure the victory of the NDA candidates.

ALSO READ: Bihar 2025 'Proxy Campaign': Children Run For Jailed Fathers Anant Singh, Ritlal Yadav In Mokama, Danapur

Political Storm Over Killing of Jan Suraaj Party Worker

The murder of 76-year-old Jan Suraaj Party's supporter, Dularchand Yadav, in Mokama has become one of the most explosive issues in the Bihar elections. Former RJD leader Dularchand was campaigning for a Jan Suraaj Party candidate when he was shot dead during a local event, sparking outrage and triggering a political blame game.

'Chhote Sarkar' Jailed

Days before voting in Mokama, JD-U candidate and gangster Anant Singh was arrested in connection with Dularchand's murder. The arrest of this influential leader, long associated with Bihar's strongman politics, sent shockwaves through the ruling alliance and reignited debates on the criminalisation of politics. Singh's arrest transformed the Mokama seat into a prestige battle for the JD-U.

FIR Against Lalan Singh

Union Minister Lalan Singh landed in legal trouble after a video of a "controversial" election statement went viral from Mokama. Following complaints from the opposition, police registered an FIR against the JD(U) leader, alleging that his statement undermined the authority of the Election Commission. The issue quickly escalated into a fresh controversy, with opposition parties accusing Singh of arrogance and misuse of power.

Politics of Chhath Puja Disrespect

The sacred festival of Chhath Puja coincided with the Bihar election campaign. The festive spirit intertwined with politics, with leaders from all parties leveraging the festival's popularity to connect with voters, visiting ghats, offering prayers, and invoking cultural pride.

ALSO READ: Bihar Election 2025: High-Octane Campaign For Phase 1 Ends Today; Over 3 Crore Voters To Cast Ballots In THESE Constituencies On Nov 6  

Meanwhile, during a rally in Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Delhi BJP's preparations for Chhath Puja along the Yamuna river, saying, “They staged a drama and showed the reality of India. The Yamuna water is dirty. If anyone drinks it, they will either fall ill or die. No one can go inside.” Responding to this statement, PM Modi reportedly launched a scathing attack on Gandhi for allegedly insulting Chhathi Maiya (a Hindu goddess), asking, “Will Bihar and India forgive those who even insulted Chhathi Maiya for the sake of votes?”

'Jungle Raj' Echoes in Election Campaigns

The BJP and its allies revived the 'Jungle Raj' slogan to target the RJD, warning voters against a return to the anarchy of the 1990s. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, retaliated, dismissing the accusation as old and irrelevant.

However, the 'Jungle Raj' label has once again become a central talking point, evoking an emotional reminder of Bihar's political past.

Attempts to Woo Women Voters

Women have emerged as a crucial voting bloc in Bihar, prompting all major parties to intensify their outreach to female voters. The NDA, to consolidate its support base, resorted to measures including a Rs 10,000 cash transfer to women under the 'Chief Minister's Women Employment Scheme,' while the opposition INDIA bloc countered with Tejashwi Yadav's promise of Rs 30,000 under the 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana' on Makar Sankranti (January 14).

Tejashwi's Big Election Promise

Before the elections, Tejashwi Yadav played a big gamble. He promised government jobs to every household in Bihar and pledged to enact a law within just 20 days of coming to power.

Tejashwi vs Tej Pratap: The Rift Widens

The sibling rivalry between Lalu Prasad Yadav's sons, Tejashwi and Tej Pratap, intensified when Tejashwi campaigned for the RJD candidate in Mahua, the same constituency from which Tej Pratap is contesting after being expelled from the RJD. Tej Pratap is contesting on a ticket from the Jan Shakti Janata Dal, a party he formed before the elections.

Prashant Kishor Backs Down

Political strategist Prashant Kishor announced that he would not contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, saying he would focus on supporting his candidates across the state.

(With Jagran.com Inputs)

Also In News