Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday claimed that the first phase of voting in Bihar had given the National Democratic Alliance a “clear lead”, telling a rally in Kaimur that the state had moved beyond the “era of pistol and lantern”. “Today’s Bihar is not a pistol,” he said. “It is a cannon — a state marching towards development and jobs.”
Singh argued that the NDA would return to power with a “two-thirds majority” after the 14 November phase. He contrasted the present government with the Lalu Prasad Yadav era, recalling an old jibe — “Come to Bihar and I will put a gun to your head” — and claimed that the state had transformed under Nitish Kumar. He added that Bihar would also see the creation of a defence corridor, following Uttar Pradesh.
Attacking Rahul Gandhi, Singh accused the Congress leader of “politics built on lies”, and said raising demands for army reservation was “an insult to the dignity of the armed forces”.
Kushwaha says Nitish ‘was, is and will remain’ CM
RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha echoed Singh’s confidence, telling supporters in Kaimur that the NDA had taken a lead in “all seats” in the first phase. “Nitish Kumar has been the Chief Minister, he is the Chief Minister, and he will remain the Chief Minister,” he said.
Kushwaha dismissed talk of “jungle raj”, insisting the term originated from a court observation rather than political rhetoric. He urged voters to back the NDA to ensure that “jungle raj never returns to Bihar”.
Smriti Irani’s golgappa outreach in Patna
In Patna, BJP leader Smriti Irani briefly shifted from rallies to street food, stopping to eat golgappas with party workers. “Is this spicy or sweet?” she asked the vendor before requesting a sweeter variant. The moment circulated widely on social platforms, as the party continued a mix of mass outreach and local mobilisation.
Samrat Chaudhary invokes Om Puri to mock opposition rule
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary took aim at the RJD at a rally in East Champaran, mocking Lalu Prasad Yadav’s famous comparison of smooth roads to Hema Malini’s cheeks. “In his rule,” Chaudhary said, “the roads became like Om Puri’s cheeks — full of potholes. One couldn’t tell where the road was and where the pothole.”
He claimed the NDA had delivered a level of development “once unimaginable” in Bihar.
Chirag Paswan predicts 2010-style sweep
Union minister Chirag Paswan asserted that the NDA was on track for a “record-breaking victory”, claiming they had already crossed “around 100 seats” in the first phase. “Next week, when we form the government, the opposition will find out,” he said, adding that the RJD’s “behaviour” had already reminded people of past instability.
Tensions rise after assault on Dalit men
In Gopalganj, three Dalit men were allegedly beaten by RJD supporters late on Thursday. JDU MP Sanjay Jha criticised Tejashwi Yadav over the incident, writing on X that while the RJD leader was “cooking pulao”, his “army” was “extorting money”. “The public is watching,” he added.
Separately, a video from Munger showed policemen dancing on the street while returning from election duty. Local police intervened to stop the group.
