Gaya: People stand in a queue to cast their votes during the first phase of Bihar assembly polls, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Gaya, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. (PTI Photo)Bihar Election 2020 LIVE Updates: Addressing a rally in Siwan in poll bound Bihar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on the voters to defeat the “casteist and nepotistic forces”. He also mentioned the beginning of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and abrogation of provision of Article 370.
A voter turnout of 55.69% was recorded in the first phase of Bihar assembly polls on Wednesday, the Election Commission said in its provisional data. Polling was held 71 assembly constituencies amid tight security and COVID-19 guidelines in place. In the 2015 assembly polls, the turnout in the phase one was 54.94 per cent. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the corresponding turnout was 53.54 per cent, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said at the poll panel briefing in New Delhi. A total of 71 assembly constituencies of Bihar went for polls on Wednesday. The polling began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused PM Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of not doing enough for the development of the state. “Bihar doesn’t have adequate jobs, facilities, and its not your fault. This is the fault of your chief minister and prime minister,” said Rahul addressing a rally in Pashchim Champaran. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the opposition RJD in Bihar, calling its chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav the “yuvraaj” (crown prince) of “jungle raj” and attacking him over the promise of 10 lakh government jobs.
Earlier in separate rallies in Darbangha, Muzzafarpur, PM Modi invoked Ayodhya’s Ram Temple and targeted Mahagatbandhan’s ‘jungle raaj’.
Read | Alliances to vote banks, all your questions on the Bihar polls answered
The Bihar Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in three phases, starting October 28. Results will be declared on November 10.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav addresses an election rally, at Bihpur in Bhagalpur district. (Twitter/RJDforIndia)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses a gathering during an election meeting, in Muzaffarpur district (PTI)
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday asked the Bihar government and Bihar Governor why they were not questioning anything over the Munger incident. Talking to reporters, Raut said, "Munger firing incident is an attack on Hindutva. If such an incident were to happen in Maharashtra, West Bengal, or Rajasthan, Governors and BJP leaders would have demanded President's rule. So, why is Bihar Governor & state BJP leaders not raising questions?"
To help shed light on issues related to children of Bihar in this election season, a group of non-profit, non-governmental organisations have conducted interviews with nearly 500 children from the state, including those rescued from trafficking and child labour from major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and prepared a ‘manifesto’. The document titled ‘Bacche Aage, Bihar Aage’ speaks about children’s issues and their expectations from elected representatives, and has been submitted to political parties.
The manifesto includes demanding an increase in the budgetary allocation for children –– the current state budget has provisions for Rs 3,727 per child, lower than many states. It also states the need for better policies to bring the state on par with the national average on parameters including stunting among children below five years of age, infant mortality rate and literacy. Read more here
As Bihar prepares for second phase of polling on November 3, Union Minister and the BJP MP from Patna Sahib Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks to The Indian Express about why he believes Nitish Kumar-led NDA will return to power in Bihar, dismisses RJD’s development pitch as populist posturing, asserts BJP has made its position clear on Chirag Paswan, and insists his party will never join hands with the RJD. Read the interview here
On a day the Election Commission of India shifted out Munger District Magistrate Rajesh Meena and Superintendent of Police Lipi Singh over the October 26 violence in which one person was killed and over three dozen people were injured during a Durga procession, fresh protests broke out in the town on Thursday.
Manavjit Singh Dhillon has been named the new Munger SP and Rachna Patil the new DM. The crowd, shouting slogans against Singh, torched two police vehicles and ransacked the Mufassil police station in town. A policeman was injured while trying to control the mob.
Meanwhile, the EC has ordered a probe into the Munger incidents by Magadh Commissioner Asangba Chuba Ao and asked him to submit his report in a week. Sources in the administration said the new DM and SP are likely to posted in Munger in a day or two. Read more here
At 60, time could be running out for Upendra Kushwaha. Once seen as Nitish Kumar’s blue-eyed man, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief is now being called a “spoiler” for fronting a platform of six rejects who could not find place in the two main Bihar alliances and who may in the process cut into the Opposition vote.
However, as the first phase of the Assembly polls ends, with the two legs where its chances are brighter beginning now, the Kushwaha-led and ambitiously named Grand Democratic Secular Front (GDSF) is giving it its best shot. Of the 71 seats that voted in the first phase, the six parties that make up the Front — the RLSP, AIMIM, BSP, Suhaldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), former RJD MP Devendra Yadav’s Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic and Janatantrik Party (Socialist) of Uttar Pradesh — between them campaigned in 62.
The six parties are believed to have the potential to win around 10% of the votes together and may prove kingmaker if the contest is tight. In the 2015 Assembly polls, the RLSP had got over 3.6% of the votes, winning two seats, and the BSP a little over 2%, without winning any. Read the report here
Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot Thursday campaigned for his party's Bankipur candidate, Luv Sinha, the son of actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha. Pilot said for Bihar's 'holistic development', the 'oppressive policies' of the NDA regime need to be stopped.
Bihar: Stage collapsed during a Congress rally at Bagahi Deoraj in West Champaran earlier today. Party leaders Imran Pratapgarhi and Akhilesh Singh along with several party workers were present on the stage when it collapsed.
Union Minister and the BJP MP from Patna Sahib Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks to The Indian Express about why he believes Nitish Kumar-led NDA will return to power in Bihar, dismisses RJD’s development pitch as populist posturing, asserts BJP has made its position clear on Chirag Paswan, and insists his party will never join hands with the RJD. Read the full interview here
From action in Munger firing to Tejashwi Yadav mobbed, three key developments of the Bihar elections today
Stepping up its attack on the JD(U)-BJP government over the Munger firing incident in which a devotee was killed, the Congress on Thursday demanded the dismissal of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, to "ensure the truth comes out and there is no cover-up".
Congress spokesperson Gouvav Vallabh alleged that the firing on devotees, out to immerse Durga idols, was done by the police at the behest of the government, and all those responsible for it, including the district magistrate and the Superintendent of Police should be sacked. He also dubbed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar "nirdayi kumar" (heartless) and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi "nirmam Modi" (ruthless), and said the dispensation in Bihar is not doing 'sushasan' but 'kushasan' (not good governance but misgovernance). PTI
The first phase of the Assembly elections in Bihar recorded 55.69 per cent voter turnout, the Election Commission said on Thursday.
A total of 71 assembly constituencies of Bihar went to polls on Wednesday in the first of the three-phase elections amid tight security and with COVID-19 guidelines in place.
As compared to corresponding assembly constituencies which went to poll in the 2015 assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the turnout this time was higher.
In the 2015 assembly elections, the turnout was 54.94 per cent in the corresponding constituencies. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- with the same assembly seats mapped to parliamentary seats -- the turnout was 53.54 per cent. (PTI)
Addressing a poll gathering in Kishanganj, Owaisi said the JD (U) is now sitting with BJP by its side. “The JDU-RJD alliance deceived you in 2015. Congress and RJD are responsible for this. They will come to you again in the name of Mahagathbandhan, but give them a befitting reply.
“We have forged an alliance in Bihar with Kushwaha as our CM candidate. We hope Bihar will shower blessings on the alliance and he will become the CM.”
On talks that it would not help his case if he raised the CAA, Owaisi asked the crowd if he should speak about this. The crowd responded with a resounding ‘Yes’. Read this report by Wali Ahmad
After ending terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, it's time to wipe out Naxalism from across the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said here Thursday.
In the ongoing Bihar polls, he attacked the opposition Grand Alliance for allegedly trying to bring "jungle raj" in the state once again.
Addressing an election rally at Daraunda here, the BJP star campaigner mentioned the beginning of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and abrogation of provision of Article 370.
Coming back to Bihar, he said "Who had created the jungle raj situation? These casteist and nepotistic forces have to be defeated". (PTI)
Fresh protests erupted in Bihar’s Munger Thursday against the district administration even as the Election Commission shifted out District Magistrate Rajesh Meena and Superintendent of Police Lipi Singh in the wake of the violence that broke out during Durga idol immersion late Monday night.
The agitated crowd, comprising mostly youth, torched two police vehicles parked outside Puravsarai outpost. The protesters shouted slogans against now shifted-out SP Lipi Singh for her failure to control the violence, which left one person dead and over three dozen people injured. Prohibitory orders have been imposed under CrPC section of 144.
Meanwhile, the EC ordered a probe into the Munger violence by Magadh Commissioner Asangba Chuba Ao and directed him to submit his report within a week. Read more
CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar today held a poll rally in Bihar's Champaran today.
Tejashwi Yadav holds massive rally in Raghopur.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has asked the Election Commission to strengthen the security cover of Tejashwi Yadav after people hovered close to his helicopter at an election rally. The party also released a video where people, in violation of Covid-19 protocols, could be seen milling around the Leader of Opposition’s helicopter.
In a tweet, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha urged the EC and Chief Election Officer of Bihar to look into the security of Tejashwi. “In spite of repeated requests, we find highly inadequate security arrangements for Tejashwi Yadav in his meetings as well as at helipads as a result of which anti-social elements cause immense trouble and ugly scenes,” he tweeted, attaching a copy of the letter written to CEO Bihar in this regard. Read more
Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress: "Firing and lathi-charge on devotees of Maa Durga in Munger were done at the behest of Nitish Kumar-Sushil Modi government... There is arson and lawlessness, and Nitish Kumar is to be held responsible." (ANI)
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has written to the Election Commission Thursday, complaining that the security cover for Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav was "inadequate" after people thronged to his helicopter at an election rally.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath campaigned in Bihar's Siwan on Thursday. Addressing a public rally, Adityanath said, "15 years ago, some people put Bihar in identity crisis. Recall their 'jungle raj' when corruption was rampant... 6 years ago, choosing PM Modi changed the nature of Indian politics. Now, no poor has religion or caste. Development is for all."
On October 26, at a public meeting in Rohtas, Mahagathbandhan’s CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav told the audience that “during Lalu Prasad’s rule, the poor would walk with confidence in front of Babu Saheb (a reference generally used for upper castes in the state)”, sparking a political row in the state.
The RJD leader later clarified that the reference was for bureaucrats. “I used the term for sarkari babus (government officers),” he said on Tuesday. However, the damage was done.
Sensing an opportunity to take on the Grand Alliance, the BJP pulled out an old weapon from its Bihar election arsenal. NDA leaders slammed Tejashwi for his comments, and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi reminded people how RJD’s politics has been about “eliminating Bhu-Ra-Ba-L. “The RJD has made an objectionable remark against forward castes in its rally at Rohtas. The RJD had also opposed the 10 per cent reservation for the upper caste poor… Their politics has been about eliminating Bhu-Ra-Ba-L… They again want to divide Bihar on the basis of caste,” he tweeted.
What is ‘Bhurabal’? And why is the NDA targeting Tejashwi Yadav for it? Santosh Singh explains
Returning to Bihar for his second round of rallies on Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi spoke about the Ram temple, apart from the achievements of the Nitish Kumar government and RJD regime’s misrule. As the state completes the first leg of polls, the Modi government’s “achievements”, essentially Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370, handling of Pakistan and China, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and allegations of “tukde-tukde gang”, are emerging as some of the main themes in speeches of the party, as it hopes to finish on a footing equal to, if not higher than, the JD(U).
Sharing the stage with Nitish in Darbhanga, a town believed to be linked to the kingdom of Mithila, Modi said, “ Today, Mother Sita must be looking at her place with love, her glance will definitely fall on Ayodhya too… The political people who used to ask us about the dates (of the temple)… they are also clapping in compulsion. Coming to Maa Sita’s area, I congratulatepeople here for construction of Ram temple.” Read more here
Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'jungle raaj' remark and said that he is the prime minister of the country and he can speak anything. "I don't have to comment on it, but if he came, he should have spoken on Bihar's special package, unemployment, and starvation. People expected that he would speak on it but he did not speak on it," Yadav added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the opposition RJD in Bihar, calling its chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav the “yuvraaj” (crown prince) of “jungle raj” and attacking him over the promise of 10 lakh government jobs.
Serving out his prison term at the Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where he has been staying since May 2018, the man who has been synonymous with Bihar politics for four decades is away from the heat and dust this time. Even son and political heir Tejashwi Yadav is accused by rivals of downplaying the Lalu Prasad influence.
However, the 72-year-old is watching the action closely. “Laluji is watching news on TV all the time, even while having meals. He doesn’t read newspapers much… He sometimes asks nurses to read out headlines,” says an official of the Birsa Munda Central Jail, Ranchi, where Lalu is supposed to be lodged, who paid a routine visit to him less than a week ago.
Lalu has been serving consecutive jail terms since December 2017 since his conviction in cases of fodder scam dating back to his term as CM of undivided Bihar in 1990s. He has spent most of his term at the RIMS, where he is being treated for multiple ailments. Read more here
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan said that he was sure that Nitish Kumar won't be able to retain his position after November 10, when the results of the assembly elections will be announced. Talking to news agency ANI, Paswan said, "This time people voted for change and development. The feedback I am getting from my party candidates and workers clearly indicate that CM Nitish Kumar won't be able to retain his position after November 10. BJP-LJP will form a new government in Bihar."
Marking a full circle from the time he had refused to share stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday sought votes in his name. With his vikas plank not cutting ice with voters, Nitish devoted his speech here to works undertaken by the Centre in Bihar and said Modi would ensure the state was developed if the NDA was voted back to power.
Praising Modi profusely and thanking him for “taking time out” to campaign, Nitish said, “Listen to his appeal. If you give the NDA one more chance, then you can be sure he will transform the state. Bihar will march ahead.” The CM referred to Patna Metro, Smart Cities plan, the Ujjwala scheme and roads in Bihar while applauding the PM’s “generosity”. Read more here
From voting percentage to PM Modi's 'jungleraj ka yuvraaj' barb to the Oppositions' 'General Dyer' jibe, all you need to know about the important developments on the first day of voting in Bihar.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Wednesday said the Election Commission was "discouraged" from holding the Bihar assembly polls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but the poll panel was of the view that carrying out the electoral exercise was a "leap of faith and not a leap in the dark". In a break from the past, the CEC attended the poll panel briefing here on voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections held on Wednesday. Usually, the briefing is held by the deputy election commissioners concerned. The chief election commissioner and fellow election commissioners announce schedule for the Lok Sabha and assembly polls. In his opening remarks, Arora said, "We (EC) were, in a way I would say, were also discouraged as to why elections are being held amid Covid. But you would recall I had said on September 25 (when Bihar poll schedule was announced) that for EC, this poll is a leap of faith and not leap in the dark."
Bihar ADG Jitendra Kumar on Wednesday said that 93 cases were registered for violation of COVID19 guidelines in the first phase of polling for Bihar assembly elections today. reported ANI. The coronavirus pandemic did not have much impact on the voter turnout in the first phase of Bihar assembly polls as an estimated 53.54 voters exercised their franchise compared to 54.75 per cent in these districts in 2015, according to provisional figures. This is the first major election being conducted amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
A voter turnout of 51.68% was recorded till 5 PM in the first phase of Bihar assembly polls on Wednesday
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said there was anger among small shopkeepers, youths, farmers and labourers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar.
Addressing his second poll rally of the day at Kusheswar Asthan in Darbhanga, the former Congress president also said it was sad that Prime Minister Modis effigy was burnt in Punjab on the occasion of Dusshera. "You didnt get to see it perhaps because Nitishji and Modiji control the media," he alleged.
Voter turnout of 46.29% recorded till 3 PM in the first phase of Bihar Elections
Hitting out at the Bihar government over the Munger firing incident in which a devotee was killed, the Congress compared Chief minister Nitish Kumar with General Dyer on Wednesday and demanded that he should apologise. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said human beings were treated as animals and worms by the police in Munger, when they beat up devotees taking out Durga idols "cruelly and mercilessly".
General Reginald Dyer is known for ordering troops of the British Indian Army to fire at a crowd of unarmed civilians in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, killing many of them, on April 13, 1919. Singhvi said words such as "barbarity, cruelty, lack of compassion, merciless crushing" are insufficient to describe the manner in which the devotees were beaten up and chased in Munger.
One person was killed and over two dozen people, including security personnel, were injured in firing and stone-pelting during the immersion of Durga idols in Bihar's Munger, police said on Tuesday, a day before the first phase of the Assembly polls in the state, including in the district.
Bihar needs to maintain a stable government in this difficult time of epidemic. A government that will ensure development and good governance, says PM Modi
Asserting that no sector or individual be exempted from government services and facilities under the NDA goverment, PM Modi said, " In Patna itself, 28 thousand pucca houses have been sanctioned to urban poor using technology."
Taking a dig at RJD at poll rally in Bihar, PM Modi asks: ' Can who looted Bihar, cared only for their families, understand aspirations of lower, middle classes.'
PM Modi says only NDA can fulfill the aspirations of poor and middle-class people of the state. "Who can fulfil the aspirations of the poor and middle class of Bihar? Can those who looted Bihar do it? Those who only thought of their families and did injustice to everyone can never understand Bihar's expectations. Only NDA can do it."
Addressing a rally in Patna, PM Modi says, "In the last decade and a half, Bihar has strongly stepped up the move from bad governance to good governance under Nitishji. Due to the efforts of the NDA government, Bihar has come a long way from inconvenience to convenience, from darkness to light, from distrust to trust, from kidnapping industry to opportunities."
Stating that Tejashwi Yadav brings a new vision and wants to focus on jobs, Rahul said, "Congress gave direction to the country. We gave MNREGA, waived off farmers' loans. We know how to run the country, stand with farmers and generate employment, but yes, we do lack one thing - we don't know how to lie. We cannot compete with him (PM) at lying."
Continuing his attack against the prime minister, Rahul said, "Now Prime Minister doesn't say in speeches that he'll give jobs to 2 crore youth. He knows he was lying & people also know it. I guarantee, if PM comes here & says he'll give 2 crore jobs, crowd will chase him away."
A day after violence in Munger, shops are shut in protest against the administration's action
"Bihar doesn't have adequate jobs, facilities, and its not your fault. This is the fault of your chief minister and prime minister. People from here went to Delhi in search of work. Why didn't you work in Bihar Metro? Because there is no metro in the state," Rahul Gandhi said.
Voter turnout of 33.10% recorded till 1 pm in the first phase of Bihar Polls.
Returning Officer to file an FIR against Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar for violation of the model code of conduct by wearing a mask with his party's symbol at polling booth. (ANI)
Rahul Gandhi says, 'Generally, on Dussehra, Ravana's effigies are burnt, but this year in Punjab, effigies of PM Modi, Ambani and Adani were seen burning. What is the reason behind this? It's a big thing and a sad thing that it is happening with the Prime Minister of India.
Taking a dig at the RJD, PM Modi says, "The party which is infamous for closing down industries of Bihar, from whom investors maintained distance, is today promising development to the state's people. Let alone govt jobs, if they come to power even private companies will flee from Bihar."
The Prime Minister urges people to elect the NDA government once again. "Bihar elections an opportunity to re-elect those who pulled the state out of darkness."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Bihar will face double whammy if proponents of 'jungle raj' return to power during pandemic." "You can imagine what will happen to the funds for covid-19 if they come to power... What else can people of Bihar expect from the 'Yuvraj' (prince) of 'Jungle Raj', given their past record. You know them better than I do," he added.
PM Modi talks about government's 'Swamitva' scheme. He says this scheme is there in six states now and will be helpful for Bihar people as well. He also says that with this scheme, people living outside their villages won't have to worry about anyone hijacking their property.
On October 24, while releasing the Mahagathbandhan’s election manifesto, Hamara Pran, the Opposition’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav listed equal pay for Bihar’s 3.5 lakh contractual teachers if voted to power, among other promises. “They would get the same pay for the same work, for which they have been fighting for long,” he said.
Over two months ago, with an eye on polls, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also looked to woo the segment, when his government announced a slew of benefits for contractual teachers appointed by panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. Contractual teachers appointed since 2006 got a 15% hike in their basic salary, among other benefits.
However, the benefits failed to cut much ice with the teachers which they said did not meet their demands. In some parts, teachers’ groups also burnt copies of the order and threatened a bigger agitation.
PM Modi also says that the NDA is committed to the development of Bihar, and asks voters to beware of those greedily eyeing funds meant for the state's welfare.
PM Modi says, "The building of AIIMS in Darbhanga will give great convenience to Mithilanchal. Over Rs 1,200 crore has been sanctioned for Darbhanga AIIMS. With the construction of AIIMS here, people will not only get better health facilities, but seats for medical education will also increase."
Hitting out at the RJD, PM Modi urges people not to vote for those who brought jungle raj in Bihar. "People of Bihar have taken a resolve to again defeat those who brought 'jungle raj' in the state, those who looted Bihar. These are the people under whose government crime was rampant in the state."
He also says, "Today first phase of polling is underway. I would like to request everyone to follow all precautionary measures against #COVID19. I pray for the speedy recovery of everyone who has been infected with the disease."
PM Narendra Modi rakes up Ayodhya issue at an election rally in Darbhanga. "Ram temple construction has begun; those who taunted us over delay are clapping in applause." the PM said.
Voter turnout of 18.48 per cent recorded till 11 am in the first phase of Bihar Polls. Over 2.14 crore voters are today deciding the fate of 1,066 candidates contesting for 71 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally in Raj Maidan, Darbhanga.
Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar arrives at a polling booth in Gaya to cast his vote wearing a mask with his party's symbol.