Patna: Campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections draws to a close today, marking the end of a high-octane battle across 18 districts, including Patna. The state is set to witness voting on Thursday for 121 crucial seats that could determine the direction of the contest.
This phase carries significant weight for the opposition’s grand alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav, which had clinched 61 of these seats in the 2020 elections. Determined to reclaim its ground, the alliance has intensified its outreach with last-minute rallies and door-to-door campaigns.
Key Campaign Highlights:
Congress leader KC Venugopal is currently stationed in Bihar to monitor the alliance’s final phase of campaigning, while the ruling BJP has lined up a series of power-packed events for the day. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address two major public meetings, and BJP National President JP Nadda will lead a roadshow in Gaya, further boosting the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts.
Judicial Oversight on Voter List Revision:
Amid the political frenzy, the elections have also taken a legal turn. The Supreme Court will today hear petitions challenging the extensive revisions made to the state’s voter list just a day before polling. The bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, had earlier directed the Election Commission to publish and provide details of the changes in writing.
The Court’s observations on the matter will be pivotal as the first phase of voting nears, with opposition parties alleging irregularities and demanding transparency. As Bihar prepares to head to the ballot boxes, the mix of courtroom drama and intense campaigning has set the stage for a fiercely contested election.