Patna: With just 20 days remaining for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has stepped up its campaign efforts. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal (United) [JDU] on Friday released its list of 40 star campaigners, featuring prominent leaders including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Meanwhile, sources have indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address 12 public meetings across Bihar within four days. As per reports, PM Modi is expected to speak at rallies in Sasaram, Gaya, and Bhagalpur on October 23, followed by Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Patna on October 28. His third round of visits is likely to cover Chhapra, East Champaran, and Samastipur on November 1, and finally West Champaran, Saharsa, and Forbesganj in Araria on November 3. However, official details of his schedule are yet to be announced.
CM Face Discussion Resurfaces
The question of who will lead Bihar as Chief Minister after the polls has once again become a topic of debate within the NDA. Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified on Friday that the alliance is contesting the elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.
“Not only the BJP, but the people of Bihar also have full confidence in Nitish Kumar. The legislative party will decide who will be the Chief Minister after the NDA’s victory,” Shah said.
However, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed a slightly different view. “Amit Shah is one of the key leaders of the NDA; whatever he says will be considered official. But personally, I believe the leader — the future Chief Minister — should have been finalized before the elections,” Manjhi said.
He added, “There should be no confusion. Such confusion exists within the Grand Alliance, which is why their list is still pending. Thankfully, everything within the NDA has remained smooth so far.”
Baba Ramdev Backs PM Modi
Meanwhile, yoga guru Baba Ramdev also weighed in on the upcoming polls, asserting that no one in Indian politics can match Prime Minister Modi’s stature.
“Every party in Bihar — whether it’s the Grand Alliance, Prashant Kishore, or Owaisi — is putting in its full strength. But the NDA, led by Prime Minister Modi, is the most politically powerful alliance in the country today. Modi’s personality is as strong as the Himalayas, and no one has the capability to compete with him,” Ramdev said.
