Patna: The high-voltage campaign for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies, concluded on Tuesday evening after weeks of intense exchanges, personal attacks, and divisive rhetoric. The election campaign began soon after the announcement of polls for the 243-member assembly on October 6, reaching peak momentum post the Diwali and Chhath festivals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) campaign with multiple rallies, digital interactions, and a roadshow in Patna. Modi criticised the RJD-Congress alliance, accusing them of protecting infiltrators and warning against a return of "jungle raj." Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also held several rallies, criticising Modi’s actions during the Chhath festival.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar campaigned vigorously across Bihar, dispelling rumours about his health, though his absence from some NDA events fueled speculation about the BJP's rising dominance over JD(U) within the alliance. BJP’s heavyweights, including Home Minister Amit Shah and other cabinet ministers, campaigned actively, with support from leaders of other BJP-ruled states.

Key constituencies in the first phase include Raghopur (Tejashwi Yadav), Mahua (Tej Pratap Yadav), Tarapur (Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary), Alinagar (BJP’s Maithili Thakur), Lakhisarai (Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha), and Mokama (JD(U) candidate Anant Singh). The campaign also saw violence: gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav was killed in a clash involving Anant Singh’s supporters, leading to Singh’s arrest and judicial custody.

Union ministers and prominent leaders from all major parties, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge from Congress, were actively involved in campaigning. The second phase of polling for 122 seats is scheduled for November 11, with vote counting on November 14.

With inputs from PTI