Patna: As the campaign for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections gathers pace, political heat is intensifying across the state. A total of 1,314 candidates are contesting 121 seats across 18 districts, with major political fronts—the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) and the NDA—locked in a fierce battle for supremacy.
At a press conference in Patna, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav reiterated his key election promise, stating that if his government comes to power, “one member of every family will get a government job within 20 months.” The statement marked a revival of his 2020 campaign pledge, which played a crucial role in shaping the youth vote.
Earlier in the day, Congress observer Ashok Gehlot met Tejashwi Yadav at his residence, describing the meeting as “productive” and noting that minor seat disputes were “friendly contests.” Gehlot added that the Grand Alliance remains united, and coordination among partners is “stronger than ever.”
Meanwhile, BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal took aim at the opposition, dubbing it the “Maha-Lathbandhan.” He quipped that parties struggling with internal seat-sharing could hardly be expected to “run a stable government.”
The Election Commission has also stepped up enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, deploying 824 flying squads and mandating pre-certification for all political advertisements. Over 650 complaints have already been received via the C-Vigil app, with officials claiming that most were addressed within 100 minutes.
According to affidavits filed with the Election Commission, the first phase has also witnessed a surge in educated candidates—with 62% holding a graduate degree or higher. Among them are professionals with degrees in law, engineering, and medicine, including senior leaders such as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
The first phase of voting is scheduled for November 6, covering key districts including Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Ara, and Vaishali. With alliances finalising their strategies and rhetoric heating up, Bihar’s political battleground appears set for a highly contested opening round.
