Patna: Incessant rain triggered by the remnants of Cyclone Montha disrupted election campaigning across Bihar on Friday, forcing several high-profile leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, to cancel their rallies just five days before the first phase of polling.
According to officials, helicopters remained grounded at Patna airport due to poor visibility and strong winds. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s rally at Dighiya Par in Darbhanga district, where NDA-backed JD (U) candidate Atirek Kumar is contesting, was called off after overnight preparations for a pandal and helipad went in vain.
In Muzaffarpur, Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary’s meeting at Kudhni High School grounds in support of BJP candidate Kedar Gupta was also cancelled. Similarly, BJP MP and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari’s rally at Taralahi High School in Darbhanga’s Bahadurpur constituency had to be scrapped due to persistent rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued heavy rain alerts for Bhojpur, Bettiah, Buxar, and Kishanganj, while 24 districts, including Patna, remain under a broader warning. Winds may reach up to 65 km/h, accompanied by lightning and thunder, with conditions expected to stabilise only after November 3.
The inclement weather also hit the opposition’s campaign trail. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter was grounded on Thursday, forcing him to travel by road to Nalanda and Sheikhpura. RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, meanwhile, addressed rallies in Alam Nagar and Bihariganj via phone after rain prevented him from attending in person.
Meteorologists have warned that the ongoing spell of rain could cool temperatures across the state, with relief likely only by early next week.
