With only two days left for voting in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, political parties made their final attempt on Monday to reach out to voters across the state. Leaders from the BJP, Congress, JD(U) and RJD held public meetings and roadshows in different districts as campaigning came to a close.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies and again targeted the RJD, saying Bihar had faced “jungle raj” in the past and could not afford to go back. He also praised party workers and urged women to vote in large numbers. “I have no doubt about a big victory for the NDA,” he said at an interaction.
Union home minister Amit Shah campaigned in Darbhanga and Bettiah, attacking the RJD over development issues. He said more than 20 sugar mills were shut during RJD rule and added that the NDA would revive them and open new ones. Shah also claimed that three generations of RJD leadership would not be able to “snatch funds meant for Jeevika Didis,” referring to women’s self-help groups in the state. 
Chief minister Nitish Kumar did not speak much in public rallies, but NDA leaders stressed that he would continue as chief minister if the alliance returns to power. BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav said there was “no vacancy” for the top post and criticised RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for campaigning for a candidate who is in jail.
From the Opposition side, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav campaigned in multiple areas. Rahul Gandhi continued his attacks on the ruling side, saying Bihar’s youth had been turned into “labour for the whole country” and accused the government of ignoring backward and Dalit communities. He also repeated his allegation of “vote theft” and spoke about paper leak incidents during rallies in Aurangabad and Kutumbha. “Only 10% people are controlling the country’s wealth and power,” he said.
Tejashwi Yadav promised free electricity for irrigation and additional support to farmers, including ₹300 extra per quintal for paddy and ₹400 extra for wheat above the MSP. He said an INDIA bloc government would focus on employment and education and claimed that the NDA had failed on both fronts.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also campaigned in Bihar and promised what he called “bulldozer justice” similar to UP. On the other hand, Union minister Smriti Irani accused the RJD of trying to stop benefits meant for women, while BJP president JP Nadda and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta also addressed rallies.
There were sharp exchanges over remarks by Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’. An FIR was filed against him after opposition parties demanded action. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari called his statement an “attack on democracy” and asked why he remained in the Union cabinet.
Meanwhile, security was tightened along the India-Nepal border in Madhubani district to prevent illegal movement and ensure peaceful polling. Roadshows and rallies saw large gatherings, after which the silent period for the first phase began.
