Bihar elections LIVE: Campaign ends for second phase, voting on Nov 3

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8:34 PM

PM campaigning in Bihar to substitute for Nitish's unpopularity: Chirag Paswan

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan on Sunday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being forced to conduct seven consecutive rallies in Bihar to substitute for the Chief minister's unpopularity as he is aware that not a single person would vote in the name of Nitish Kumar.

 

"PM Narendra Modi himself is conducting so many rallies in Bihar. He is putting in a lot of effort because everyone knows that not a single Bihari is going to vote in the name of the present CM Nitish Kumar

 

"The Prime Minister has to hold seven rallies in two days because Nitish Kumar is quite unpopular in Bihar. Modi Ji is working hard to substitute for the Bihar CM's unpopularity. Otherwise, PM Modi could have easily won the Bihar election sitting in Delhi," Chirag Paswan said.

 

"Why are BJP leaders bowing their heads before such a corrupt Chief Minister Nitish Kumar? Such remarks disappoint their own party workers and voters. Chief Minister himself knows he's not going to win, LJP chief Chirag Paswan said replying to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagat Prakash Nadda assertion that even if BJP gets more seats, Nitish will be the leader of the Mahagathbandhan.

7:47 PM

Who says BJP can't be defeated, asks Chidambaram

Amid the keenly contested Bihar Assembly elections, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said that the poll results since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections showed that the BJP can be defeated and hoped that Bihar results will prove it.

 

"Who said BJP cannot be defeated? Opposition parties must believe that they can defeat the BJP. I hope this will be proved in Bihar," he tweeted.

 

In another post, the former Union Finance Minister said: "In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidates won 319 out of 381 Assembly segments.

 

"Of the total 381 Assembly segments where elections were held (330) or by-elections (51) since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where there were BJP candidates, they won only 163 of these 381 segments." He was referring to the results of Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana.

6:17 PM

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.

5:49 PM

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.

 

Gandhi had entered into a belated alliance with Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in 2017 and held a joint campaign marked by roadshows with the catchphrase "UP ko ye saath pasand hai (UP likes this coalition)".

4:26 PM

Nitish will quit NDA after assembly polls, try to challenge PM Modi in 2024: Chirag

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may ditch the BJP after the assembly poll results are out, join the RJD-led Grand Alliance and make yet another attempt at posing a challenge to the NDA in the 2024 general elections, Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan claimed on Sunday.

 

Paswan, who has chosen to plough a lonely furrow in the ongoing assembly elections, reiterated that the LJP was and will remain loyal towards the BJP, which was staring at the spectre of yet another "paltimaar" (volte face) by the JD(U) president.

 

"Nitish Kumar has earned the epithet 'palturam' (turncoat) by virtue of his frequent acts of paltimaar. He came to power in Bihar after a long political battle with RJD chief Lalu Prasad. A few years later, he snapped ties with the BJP, an old ally and ended up forging an alliance with his arch rival," he told a news channel.

3:41 PM

PM Modi brings up Ram Mandir in Motihari rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Ram Mandir in his rally at Motihari's Gandhi Maidan in Bihar's East Champaran district.

 

"I have come many times to Champaran, in Motihari. But after the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya started, this is the first time I have come among you," said Modi. He added, "After waiting for centuries, this opportunity has come. It has come after a long period of 'tap' (prayers and sacrifices) and 'tapasya' (penance). I congratulate all you friends associated with the land of Ramayan."

 

The Ram Mandir 'bhoomi pujan' took place in August that paved the way for the construction of the temple. This is probably the first time the temple issue was used so strongly by the Prime Minister.

 

Referring to the free ration scheme during and after the lockdown for crores of underprivileged Indians, Modi connected Diwali and Chhath -- two prime festivities of Bihar.

3:24 PM

Bihar Elections: PM jabs RJD, says leaders of 'jungle raj' support naxalism

2:33 PM

PM lashes out at 'alliance of dynasts' in Bihar

2:10 PM

Bihar elections: PM talks of Pakistan's Pulwama confession, attacks "double yuvraj"

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 in Chapra, 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-19 pandemic.

 

Addressing another rally in Samastipur, Modi said On one side of the political divide was the NDA which was committed to democracy and on the other an alliance devoted to dynastic politics.

 

"Has any relative of (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar been sent to Rajya Sabha? Do you find any relative of Modi in Parliament?" he asked the audience in Samastipur which responded with a resounding "No".

 

"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)".

1:53 PM

Bihar Polls: Campaigning for second phase to end today

The cacophony of canvassing for the second phase of Bihar Assembly Elections, due on November 3, will end on Sunday evening with all political parties having gone full-throttle.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also in Bihar to conduct rallies in favour of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates. Modi has four election meetings on card for the day.

 

Apart from Modi, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari are also on a campaigning spree.

 

On the other hand, many leaders including Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav are holding meetings and rallies for the Grand Alliance.

1:27 PM

Quite clear Nitish Kumar will again lead new govt in Bihar: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the public response during the Bihar Assembly elections clearly indicated that the new government in the state will again be formed under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's leadership. He made this assertion while addressing the first of his four back-to-back public rallies scheduled in Bihar on Sunday to garner support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates in the poll-bound state.

 

The Prime Minister started his Sunday election tour with a rally in Chapra, the bastion of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad.

 

Referring to the first phase of Assembly elections in 71 Assembly constituencies on October 28, the Prime Minister said that "it is clear that the new Bihar government will be formed under Nitish's leadership." He also said that a good public gathering in an early morning rally clearly indicated likewise.

1:15 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Samastipur

1:00 PM

It's double engine govt vs two yuvrajs in Bihar polls: PM Modi

Taking a dig at the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that a 'double engine government' was pitted against 'two yuvrajs' in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections. One of these 'yuvrajs' or princes is a 'yuvraj of jungle raj', Modi said at a public rally in Chhapra.

 

"The second 'yuvraj' joined hands with a third 'yuvraj' in Uttar Pradesh, but the people rejected them. Now the second 'yuvraj' had come to Bihar to seek votes," Modi added. He was referring to Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

 

"Once again, there is an opportunity to defeat the yuvrajs. What happened to them in Uttar Pradesh is going to be repeated in Bihar as well," the Prime Minister said. He referred to a video clip doing the rounds on the social media, in which a woman was asked why she was voting for Modi. The Prime Minister said that the woman's answer forced the entire opposition to go silent.

 

"She said 'Modi gave ration, pension, electricity, and cooking gas. Should I still vote for you than him?'" the Prime Minister added.

12:52 PM

BJP to form 1,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for farmers in Bihar: PM Modi at election rally in Samastipur

12:52 PM

On one side is NDA that's committed to democracy, on other is an alliance that is devoted to dynastic politics: PM Modi at Bihar rally

12:41 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Samastipur

12:35 PM

PM Modi is campaigning in Bihar to substitute for Nitish Kumar's unpopularity, says Chirag Paswan

cLok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan on Sunday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being forced to conduct seven consecutive rallies in Bihar to substitute for the Chief minister's unpopularity as he is aware that not a single person would vote in the name of Nitish Kumar.

 

"PM Narendra Modi himself is conducting so many rallies in Bihar. He is putting in a lot of effort because everyone knows that not a single Bihari is going to vote in the name of the present CM Nitish Kumar

 

"The Prime Minister has to hold seven rallies in two days because Nitish Kumar is quite unpopular in Bihar. Modi Ji is working hard to substitute for the Bihar CM's unpopularity. Otherwise, PM Modi could have easily won the Bihar election sitting in Delhi," Chirag Paswan said.

 

"Why are BJP leaders bowing their heads before such a corrupt Chief Minister Nitish Kumar? Such remarks disappoint their own party workers and voters. Chief Minister himself knows he's not going to win, LJP chief Chirag Paswan said replying to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagat Prakash Nadda assertion that even if BJP gets more seats, Nitish will be the leader of the Mahagathbandhan.

12:31 PM

PM Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Bihar's Samastipur

12:25 PM

PM Modi talks of Pak'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-19 pandemic.

 

AA 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)".

 

"The admission has also taken the masks off our opponents who never actually cared for the lives we lost in the suicide attack which killed many sons of Bihar. They have always been more preoccupied with their political gains," said Modi referring to the questions that were raised about the Balakot air strikes that followed the terrorist strike. He asked the electorate to "beware of such elements" who are seeking their votes.

11:59 AM

Bihar's double engine govt pitted against Opposition's two 'Yuvaraj' : PM Modi

Without naming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Mahagathbandhan leadership on Sunday and said that Bihar has a double engine government which is committed to the development of the state while on the other hand, there are two "Yuvaraj" who are fighting to save their throne.

 

"Today, Bihar has 'double-engine ki sarkar'. On the other hand, there are two 'Yuvaraj' of whom one is from 'jungle raj', the double-engine NDA government is committed to the development of Bihar and these double Yuvaraj are fighting to save their throne" said PM Narendra Modi in Chhapra, Bihar while addressing a public rally.

 

"You must have seen 3-4 years ago during UP election, double Yuvaraj there as well, climbed on top of the bus, wore black jackets and used to visit villages while waving," he added.

 

PM Modi also expressed confidence in forming his government in Bihar once again.

 

"After the first phase voting, is it clear that Nitish Kumar is all set to form government again. We have seen various election rallies before, no matter how close the election is right now but such a huge rally that too before 10 am (today) has never been held earlier," PM Modi said.

11:50 AM

NDA has ensured free grains for poor till Chhath Puja, says PM Modi

The NDA government has ensured free grains for the poor till Chhath Puja, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday while adding that the woman should not worry about celebrations. "We have ensured free grains for poor till Chhath Puja. No woman should worry about how she will celebrate Chhath Puja," said Prime Minister Modi at an election rally in Bihar's Chhapra.

 

Whether the government of NDA is at the Centre or in Bihar, the efforts have been as big as the challenges faced by the government, PM Modi stated.

 

"There is no one in the world today who has not been influenced or harmed by COVID. Big countries of the world are in its grip again. NDA government has tried since the very beginning of COVID-19, to work with all efforts and stand with the poor people of Bihar and this country," said PM Modi. "If you had not given me and Nitish Kumar, your blessings, then perhaps those people thinking of their families would never have worries about the poor people. I am sure that with your vote you will save Bihar from getting bimaar," he added.

 

Good governance is the inspiration and encouragement of the resolution with which Bihar Government started its journey, the Prime Minister said.

11:45 AM

Bihar elections: I-T raids BJP's game to corner Nitish, says RJD leader

The opposition RJD on Saturday claimed that the income tax raids on certain contractors due to the alleged scam in the tap water supply project were meant to corner Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

 

A team of Income Tax Department raided the houses of six contractors on Friday evening and seized Rs 2.28 crore from the houses of two of them who are connected to the Nal-Jal Yojana. RJD spokesman Chitranjan Gagan said: "It is a well-planned game of the BJP to put Nitish Kumar on the back foot. Who can better understand the BJP's 'Chal, Charitra and Chehra' than Nitish Kumar?"

 

Another RJD leader Mritunjay Tiwari said: "People need to understand why Chirag Paswan has gone on the offensive against Nitish Kumar, particularly on the 'Saat Nischay' Yojana. He is being used through the remote control by the BJP to corner Nitish Kumar. Chirag Paswan has already said that Nitish Kumar would go to jail if corruption is found in any state government project." READ ON...

11:22 AM

Not a single Bihari going to vote in the name of present CM Nitish Kumar: Chirag Paswan

11:06 AM

Our neighbour accepted complicity in Pulwama attack; it exposed those who doubted valour of sons of Bihar: PM Modi

10:58 AM

Bihar polls 2020 LIVE: State gained from ’double engine' govt, says PM Modi

10:58 AM

NDA govt ensured kitchen fires kept burning in homes of poor during corona pandemic: PM Narendra Modi tells Bihar rally

10:54 AM

NDA defeated "double-double yuvraj" in UP polls; "double-double yuvraj" will meet same fate in Bihar: PM Modi

10:47 AM

Voting in the 1st phase has indicated huge gains for NDA; this has left opponents frustrated: PM Modi at Bihar rally

10:47 AM

Opponents are frustrated and have begun to vent ire by shoving own supporters: PM Modi at recent video of Tejashwi Yadav

10:40 AM

Bihar polls 2020 LIVE: We have ensured free grains for poor till Chhath puja, says PM Modi at Chapra rally