Bihar Assembly Election 2020 Highlights: Very unfortunate for state if 'Mahagathbandhan' comes to power, says R K Singh

Campaigning for the second phase of Bihar assembly elections ended on Sunday evening, setting the stage for polling on Tuesday in 94 constituencies spread across 17 districts. The battle in Bihar is heating up with the campaigning for the second phase ending on Sunday evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing four back-to-back rallies on Sunday, starting with a rally in Chapra, the political bastion of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. This will be Modi's third election tour of Bihar. Stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you for following Deccan Herald's live updates on Bihar Assembly Elections 2020.

94 constituencies which are going to poll on November 3 are in 17 districts

According to the Election Commission, more than 2.85 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 1,463 candidates -- 1316 male, 146 female and one transgender.

Of the total 2,85,50,285 voters 1,50,33,034 are male, 1,35,16,271 female and 980 transgender, as per the poll panel data.

The Election Commission said it has set up a total of 41,362 booths at 18,823 polling stations. Maharajganj constituency has the maximum 27 candidates in this phase, while the minimum four are from Darauli constituency (SC).

The 94 constituencies which are going to poll on November 3 are in 17 districts: West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Nalanda and Patna.

The BJP's charge was led by Prime Minister Modi, who addressed seven rallies over two days, including the four on Sunday.

Several Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Giriraj Singh and Anurag Thakur, besides senior party leaders such as BJP chief J P Nadda addressed campaign rallies.

(PTI)

Bihar will again be pushed to dark era if leaders of ‘Jungle raj’ get elected: PM Narendra Modi

Secularism as principle and practice in India is in 'danger': Tharoor

Secularism as principle and practice in India is in "danger", but "forces of hatred" cannot alter the country's secular character, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor told PTI in an interview on his new book 'The Battle of Belonging'.

In the book, Tharoor makes a stinging critique of the Hindutva doctrine, asserting that it is a political doctrine, not a religious one.

(PTI)

Bihar's people made to drink contaminated water in Nitish Kumar's rule: Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala

In Nitish's rule, Bihar towns turned into garbage dumps, said Congress General Secretary Surjewala.

Read more

Campaign ends for second phase of Bihar elections

Campaigning for the second phase of Bihar assembly elections ended on Sunday evening, setting the stage for polling on Tuesday in 94 constituencies spread across 17 districts.

The last day of campaigning witnessed hectic canvassing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing four back-to-back rallies in support of NDA candidates, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is also in the fray in this phase, criss-crossing over a dozen venues.

According to the Election Commission, more than 2.85 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 1,463 candidates -- 1316 male, 146 female and one transgender. Of the total 2,85,50,285 voters 1,50,33,034 are male, 1,35,16,271 female and 980 transgender, as per the poll panel data.

(PTI)

It's 'double yuvraj' versus NDA's double engine in Bihar: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday blazed through the electoral battleground in Bihar mocking RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as "double yuvraj" (two crown princes) who stood for "jungle raj" and were pitted against the NDA's "double engine" growth which has pulled the state out of lantern age.

Firing on all cylinders on a day when campaign for 94 assembly segments going to polls in the second phase came to an end, Modi also touched upon contentious issues like Balakot air strike, Ayodhya, Article 370, Citzenship Amendment Act and the alleged anti-national slogans raised at JNU by pro-Left activists.

"One of the double yuvraj had forged an alliance in Uttar Pradesh a few years ago. He criss-crossed through the state wearing a black jacket, waving at crowds. The alliance was drubbed," said Modi referring to Rahul Gandhi, whom he did not mention by name.

(PTI)

NDA hopes to ride reach of welfare packages, Modi's appeal to score over Oppn

The smooth highway coursing through Muzaffarpur into Mithilanchal is not only a gateway to a distinct cultural landscape but also a region of changed political narrative as the ruling BJP-JD(U) combine seeks to draw support from the poorest sections of society on the back of a number of welfare schemes to take on a resurgent RJD-led alliance.

The Mithila region was hit hard by floods, and a large section of the extremely backward communities (EBCs), whose numbers are higher than the state average in many seats here, and scheduled castes has benefited from the relief package, including cash transfer of Rs 6000, of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led state government.

And above all, it is the 'Brand Modi' that shines brightest in one village after another as people praise the prime minister for free ration, from April to November, and money transfer to the poor following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak and consequent lockdown.

(PTI)

New farms laws will weaken nation's foundation: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the three new farm laws enacted by the Centre will "weaken" the foundation of the nation, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the laws in the interest of farmers.

Virtually addressing the Chhattisgarh statehood day celebrations, Gandhi hailed a scheme launched by the state government to set English medium schools in all districts, saying the language provides a global opportunity to youth.

The function to celebrate the statehood of Chhattisgarh, which came into existence on November 1, 2000 after being carved out of Madhya Pradesh, was held at Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghels official residence in Raipur.

People of Bihar broke voter turnout records in the first phase of Bihar polls: PM

"All political pandits were saying that not many people would come out to cast their vote this time due to Covid-19. But people of Bihar broke voter turnout records in the first phase of Bihar Elections & proved them wrong," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Motihari.

'Very unfortunate for Bihar if the 'Mahagathbandhan' comes to power'

"It will be very unfortunate for Bihar if the 'Mahagatbandhan' comes to power. Tejashwi Yadav has a tendency just like Lalu ji. He (Tejashwi) has taken criminals as his allies & will let them run free and amok all over the state again," Union Minister R K Singh

Tejashi Yadav slams PM Modi over closed sugar mill in Motihari

"The respected Prime Minister had said in the election meeting of Motihari in 2014 that he would start the closed sugar mill of Motihari and drink the sugar tea made in Motihari on arrival next time. The Prime Minister came to Motihari after six years today but did not speak about that closed sugar mill and tea?" he said.

Delhi's political pundits should get a glimpse of the crowd here, they will learn about the November 10 results. They thought people won't show due to Covid-19, but they don't know this is the land of Bihar.

Agriculture, Fisheries. Animal husbandry are crucial in making Bihar Aatmanirbhar.

Bihar has left the darkness of jungle raj has left behind and with double-engine is moving towards development.

The state of Bihar is Open Defecation free. The constituency with its cleanliness have paid honest tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

They are worried about keeping the lantern alive, NDA wants to light LED bulb in homes

People of jungle raj are worried about how to hide benami properties. They are worried about preserving their own treasury.

Along with Jungle raj people, there are naxals who are trying to break the nation. Bihar has to be alert from jungle raj's yuvraj.

It is necessary for people of Bihar to find jobs in the state. But who will do that? Those who have kept the state in darkness or the NDA government?

For migrants who have returned to the sate, employment and food grains were arranged. Those workers who have gone to city are worried about the village home they leave behind.

A lockdown was imposed so that coronavirus does not reach the rural areas of India. Free food grains are extended to everybody until Diwali and Chhath Puja.

PM Modi addresses his third rally in East Champaran

Bihar Polls: Tej Pratap Yadav's troubled marriage a running subplot in fight for Parsa seat

More than the electoral battle, the Parsa assembly segment in Saran district is witnessing a fight playing out between the families of two Yadav giants of Bihar politics — Lalu Prasad and Chandrika Roy.

The marital dispute between Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav and Aishwarya Rai, a daughter of Chandrika Roy, has its shadow in the poll battle on this seat which votes on November 3.

Read more here

Sardar Patel did not receive the recognition he deserved from Congress. No one from Congress 'family' remembered Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary yesterday.

The livelihood of the people who are today becoming the inspiration of a self-reliant family and self-reliant Bihar is giving strength to NDA. Door-to-door, school-school toilets that gave dignity to their daughters, liberated from waiting for darkness, are creating NDA government: PM Narendra Modi

If intentions are bad, if the goal is to rob poor of money, they will continue to oppose developmental work. India's poor knows NDA's work. Some made fun of schemes, they are not bothered by the poor's misery.

Have you seen Nitish's or Modi's relatives in the politics? But these dynastic parties divide the districts among relatives like private properties.

Congress party is now limited to its family only.

One side, NDA's commitment towards democracy and other side, Opposition's commitment towards family politics.

After the first phase, many party workers, experts say that NDA will emerge victorious. I thank all the aware voters and I am very grateful.

The crowd gathered here even amid Covid and its enthusiasm here reveals what the November 10 results will be.

PM Modi remembers jawan martyred in Galwan Valley at Samastipur rally

PM Modi, CM Nitish Kumar share stage to address NDA rally in Samastipur

Modi talks of Pakistan's Pulwama confession, evokes 'chhath' on Bihar campaign trail

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday excoriated the opposition over the Pulwama attack after Pakistan's admission of complicity in it, saying it has "taken masks off" the faces of those in India who never cared for the "sons of Bihar" who lost their lives in the assault.

Addressing an election rally here, he also sought to appeal to Bihari sensitivities by speaking about 'chhath' puja, saying their "son" will ensure that kitchen fires are kept burning despite the Covid pandemic.

A few days ago, our neighbour confessed to its involvement in the Pulwama terror attack," Modi said referring to a statement made on the floor of Pakistan National Assembly by minister Fawad Chaudhry who credited Premier Imran Khan for the "success in Pulwama" where "humne Hindustan ko ghar mein ghus kar maara (we hit India on its own soil)".

Modi is addressing rallies himself because nobody is going to vote for Nitish, says Chirag Paswan

Why 46.6% unemployment in Bihar with double-engine sarkar, Tejashwi takes dig at Modi

I hope voters will save Bihar from 'Bimari'

Our neighbouring country accepted the Pulwama attacks. Some spread rumours after the Pulwama attack. They were not part of the nation's grief. They did not mourn the death of Bihar's jawans.

Youth of Bihar, the poor have struggled with language. Language has been a barrier for employment. Thus, native language and Hindi are being made the language for instruction in educational institutes.

Youth of Bihar would remember their childhood when their mothers would tell them not to go out because they would get kidnapped. It was jungle raj.

Government had funds one and half decades ago but none of the development happened because of jungle raj

We have provided food to the poor. Since eight months of the coronavirus, grains have been given to the poor. All the credit is to farmers. And your blessings through vote has made that possible.

Oneyuvraj has tied up with another yuvraj. In Uttar Pradesh, what happened to double-double yuvraj will be same in Bihar too. They don't care about Bihar.

NDA has double engine, on the other side double-double 'yuvraj'. They are fighting to save their chairs.