Bihar will vote in three phases on October 28, November 3 and 7 for a new government.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the migrant crisis during the coronavirus lockdown and Chinese aggression at the border as he addressed a series of rallies in Bihar for polls next week.
Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition alliance, addressed a joint rally at Nawada. Their campaign coincided with PM Modi's first day of rallies in Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Tejashwi Yadav had criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for "staying put at home" during the coronavirus fight and only coming out now to ask for votes.
"Nitish Kumar stayed inside the Chief Minister's house for 144 days. But now he is out of his house. Why? Tab bhi corona tha, ab bhi corona hai. But now he wants your vote, so he has to step out," Mr Yadav remarked.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first rally in Bihar today for the election starting next week, referred to criticism of his government's move to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and targeted the opposition.
"Everyone was waiting for Article 370 to be repealed but these people are saying that they will overturn the decision once they are voted to power," PM Modi said in Sasaram, addressing a joint rally with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Bihar votes on October 28, November 3 and 7 for a new government and the results will be announced on November 10.
Here are the Highlights on Bihar Assembly Elections 2020:
"Elect A Government Which Can Provide Jobs": Rahul Gandhi At Bihar Rally
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that people of the state were yearning for a change as he attacked the BJP-led government over transgressions by China in eastern Ladakh and accused it of working for the benefit of select industrialists.
Addressing an election rally in Bhagalpur, he urged people to elect a government of farmers, workers, youth and small shopkeepers and said only that government will be formed in the state which will give employment to youth.
"You have to build Bihar and the key to development is in your hands. You have to decide that the government will be of Bihar's farmers, workers, youth and small shopkeepers. Now only that government will be formed in Bihar which will give employment to youth," he said.
Some people just think of family once in power: Nitish Kumar attacks RJDBihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Friday accused opposition RJD and its allies of seeking votes by creating conflicts and disturbance in society, and thinking just about the families of their leaders once in power.
Addressing polls rallies at Dehri on-Sone in Rohtas, and Bhagalpur, where he shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumar said that for him Bihar is his family.
He appealed to the people to vote the NDA back to power to take the state to newer heights and continue the development works.
"There are some people who get votes by creating conflict and disturbance in society. And after they win, they think only about their families," he said in an apparent attack on the RJD and its supremo Lalu Prasad.
"For these people, family just means the husband, wife, son and daughter. But for me, the entire Bihar is my family," he added.
For how long will PM Modi keep Bihar from ''special status'', asks Tejashwi Yadav
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first election rally in poll-bound Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav attacked him for not giving ''special state'' status category to Bihar.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Yadav also attacked Prime Minister for not speaking on alleged scams in the state during Nitish Kumar government.
"For how long will the PM keep Bihar from the Special State status category? Bihar had hopes that he would speak about that. BJP talks about generating 19 lakh jobs depending on private enterprise. We will directly give 10 lakh government jobs," he said.
"Parties standing against NDA opposing decisions for growth of country": PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a strong attack on RJD and its allies in Bihar and said that the parties against ruling NDA are opposing decisions taken in the interest of the country including abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the law against instant triple talaq.
Addressing an election rally in Bhagalpur, he said the state was moving ahead with determination towards self-reliance and if parties in opposition get a chance to come back to power, the progress of the state will be slowed down.
He said every vote should be cast for NDA parties in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
"The vote in Bihar is clearly in favour of alliance of BJP, JD-U, HAM and VIP led by Nitishji. Wherever I went, the mood that I am seeing, the people of the state have taken a pledge to make Nitishji Chief Minister again," he said.
"Those standing against NDA today, they are opposing every decision in the interest of the country. They are against the decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, against decision on law against triple talaq to give rights to Muslim women," he added.
PM Modi said parties opposed to NDA were "against the growth of the country".
''Modi's Hanuman'' Chirag Paswan to visit Sita temple, proposes corridor between Ayodhya-Sithamarhi
Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan, who last week said that he is the "Hanuman" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit Sita temple in Sithamarhi on October 25 and likely to propose the construction of a grand temple at the site.
Mr Paswan has promised to accord Sita her deserved place in Sithamarhi, "the birthplace of the Goddess". A grand temple at the site is being viewed as a complement to the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.
During the campaigning for Bihar polls, LJP supremo had termed himself as PM Modi's Hanuman and also assured that LJP will not field any candidate against the BJP. He did not severe his ties with NDA at the centre despite coming out of the alliance in the state.
Mr Paswan is expected to propose grand plans to connect two holy cities - Ayodhya and Sithanarhi- through a religious corridor in an effort to serve pilgrims and provide the boost to the economy of region. Sitamarhi is located in Mithila region, named after the father of Goddess Sita.
"BJP promising 19 lakh jobs in Bihar akin to its pledge of depositing Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of people, " Rahul Gandhi tells poll rally
"PM Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar broke backbone of farmers, medium and small businesses, " said Rahul Gandhi at Bihar poll rally.
Chirag Paswan thanks PM Modi for remembering his father
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remembering his father Ram Vilas Paswan after visiting Bihar.
"As a son, I felt good seeing Prime Minister's love and respect towards my father," Chirag tweeted.
"Respected Narendra Modiji comes to Bihar and pays homage to Papa like a true companion. To say that he was with my father till his last breath made me emotional. It is good to see this affection and respect of the Prime Minister towards Papa, as a son. Thank you Prime Minister," he added.
"Bihar has decided to re-elect Nitish Kumar": PM Modi
The people of Bihar have decided to reelect Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a rally in Bhagalpur, his third for the day.
"This is my third rally today, the mandate of people is clearly with the NDA government under the leadership of Nitish Kumarji. The mandate of Bihar is clear wherever I have gone I have seen, the people of Bihar have decided to reelect Nitishji and make NDA win again to ensure the speed of Bihar''s development increases," PM Modi said.
Targeting the Opposition (Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress) in the state, PM Modi said that they had done nothing else than filling their own coffers and looting the state.
"Lalu Yadav coming out on bail on Nov 9, Nitish Kumar's farewell next day": Tejashwi YadavRJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Friday asserted his father and party supremo Lalu Prasad will
come out of jail on November 9 after securing bail in a fodder scam case, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will have his farewell the next day.
The votes for the state assembly polls will be counted on November 10.
Mr Prasad is in judicial custody in Jharkhand capital Ranchi after his conviction in fodder scam cases. He was recently granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court in the case related to Chaibasa treasury but could not come out of jail as his bail plea in another case of fraudulent withdrawals from Dumka treasury is being heard.
PM slams opposition for seeking restoration of Article 370 in J&KIn his first poll rally in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invoked the alleged reign of crime and loot during the 15-year rule of the RJD and also targeted the opposition for "daring" to seek votes in the state while seeking restoration of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi sought vote for another term of the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying he had been working with the JD(U) president only for the last three-four years and that the state had seen much speedier development in this period.
Mr Kumar had returned to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in 2017 after fighting against it in the last assembly polls in 2015.
Referring to the supreme sacrifice made by soldiers, including by those from Bihar, in Galwan Valley while fighting Chinese troops, he hit out at the opposition.
It is the NDA government that implemented the recommendation of giving MSP to farmers one and a half times the cost. It is the NDA government that has laid great emphasis on both government procurement centers and government procurement: PM Modi in Bhagalpur.
Bihar is entitled to employment and entrepreneurship. Who can ensure this? Those who consider giving government jobs as a means of earning bribe or those who are working to improve Bihar's Ease of Doing Business and Skill Mapping: PM Modi in Bhagalpur.
The people of Bihar have decided that it is necessary to win the NDA again so that the path of progress on the progress of Bihar is speeded up. They should be implemented fast in Bihar as well: PM Modi in Bhagalpur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to shortly address a public rally in Bhagalpur.
Nitish Kumar Was MIA When Migrants Walked Home: Tejashwi Yadav At Rally
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav aimed at a series of jibes at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during an election rally in the state's Nawada district today, criticising the JDU boss for staying put at home for more than four months because of the Covid threat and only coming out to ask for votes.
Read Here PM Modi Insulted Army By Lying About The Chinese Intrusion: Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took the opportunity to reply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s statement of bowing his head in front of the sons of Bihar who had made the supreme sacrifice in Galwan Valley clash, saying the PM insulted the Army by lying about the Chinese intrusion. "Today the Prime Minister said he bows his head in front of those soldiers who sacrificed their lives. The whole country bows their head in front of the soldiers from Bihar who did this, but that is not the question, the question is what the Prime Minister said and did when Bihar's young soldiers were sacrificed?" Rahul Gandhi said at an election rally in Nawada.
Did you guys put your money into banks? Into the pockets of the rich. They told you to fight against the black money. But did you see Adani standing in the queue? No, these people were in their AC rooms. Narendra Modi is making way for India's rich. He is making by siding farmers and small traders. They brought three anti-farmers bills recently, says Rahul Gandhi.
Bihar Elections 2020: Tejashwi Yadav Addresses Hisua Rally
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attend 'Badlav Sankalp' Bihar election joint rally at Hisua in Nawada district.
In the last few years, a lot of effort and strict actions have been taken to limit the activities of Naxals in the country. Naxal presence has now been restricted to limited areas: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally at Gandhi Maidan in Gaya, Bihar.
People who are voting for the first time, they don't know how far has Bihar come. But, there was a time when people wouldn't go to their homes after deboarding trains in the night. There was a time when electricity was only available to rich people. Poor people in Bihar were dependent on diyas. But now, there is no need for lanterns in Bihar.
This is the first major election in the world amid the Corona epidemic, where such a large number of polling is about to take place. Look at how Bihar strengthens democracy by keeping itself safe: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gaya.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the second rally at Gandhi Maidan in Gaya.
"Opposition Wants Article 370 Back, Dares To Seek Votes In Bihar": PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first rally in Bihar today for the election starting next week, referred to criticism of his government's move to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and targeted the opposition.
Read Here When I as Gujarat Chief Minister and Nitish Ji attended UPA's central meetings, Nitish Ji always told them - don't stall Bihar's development. But for 10 years, those who were defeated in Bihar were angry, they influenced the Centre and ensured Nitish ji cannot work. They wasted Bihar's 10 years: PM Modi.
PM at Bihar rally says NDA government abrogated Article 370. These people say they will bring it back if they come to power. After saying this they dare to ask for votes from Bihar. Is this not an insult of Bihar? The state which sends its sons and daughters to the borders to protect the country: PM Modi
The people who once ruled Bihar are again looking at the developing state with their greedy eyes. But, Bihar must not forget who pushed them backward, that was the time when there was worsening law and order situation and corruption in the state: PM Modi
Voters of Bihar have taken a resolve that they won't let those who have a history of making the state 'Bimaru' come near them: PM Narendra Modi at Biada Maidan in Sasaram.
Sons of Bihar lost their lives in Galwan Valley for the tricolour and ensured Bharat Mata's head is held high. Jawans of Bihar were also martyred in Pulwama attack. I bow my head at their feet and pay respects: PM Modi.
I want to congratulate the people of Bihar, as they have announced their decision well in advance. All the surveys which are done suggest that an NDA government will be formed in the state once again. Some people try to spread rumours at times and suggest that some "new power" is emerging, but people of Bihar are not going to be befooled by such acts.
I congratulate the people of Bihar on the way they tackled the covid crisis. If the work had not been done in Bihar, this pandemic would have claimed so many lives. But today, Bihar is celebrating the festival of democracy after facing covid-19: PM Modi at election rally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally at Biada Maidan in Sasaram.
Bihar Elections 2020: PM Pays Respect to Paswan, Raghuvansh Prasad
Bihar lost its two sons recently. I pay my respects to Ram Vilas Paswan Ji, who was with me till his last breath and gave his entire life for the welfare of the poor and Dalits. Similarly, Babu Raghuvansh Prasad Singh ji also worked for poor. I pay respects to him: PM Narendra Modi at Sasaram rally.
Preparations are on for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally to be held in Gaya today.
Bihar Elections: PM Modi reaches Sasaram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Biada Maidan in Sasaram to address an election rally.
PM should speak out today on Chirag Paswan, joblessness, migrants issue and COVID-19 deaths in Bihar. He will effectively turn all big lies into truth during his speech. He should now stop his 'Jumlebaazi': Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) Chief Pappu Yadav on PM Modi's Bihar Elections rallies.
Only those who vote for BJP will get vaccine, it shows BJP's discriminatory nature: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief welcomes PM Modi to Bihar.
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi's First Rallies In Bihar Today, Focus On Safety
With campaigning for the Bihar elections in its final week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address public rallies in the state today for their respective coalitions. Organisers from both sides assured that adequate safety measures were being taken for the events amid concerns about growing coronavirus infections.
Read Here Bihar Assembly Polls: Rahul Gandhi Slams Government
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hits out the BJP government and says whether it is coronavirus or unemployment, the whole country is troubled by false statistics.
Congress leader Kapil Sibal hits out at the BJP over its promise of free Covid-19 vaccine to the people of Bihar.
Hope the Prime Minister will tell the people of Bihar today that in areas like education, health, jobs, employment, agriculture, industry, why Bihar is at the lowest level of national average despite the JDU-BJP government for 15 years? What did the state, that gave 39 out of 40 MPs to the NDA, get in return except unemployment?
Today PM Modi will address his first rally for #Biharpolls. He is very fond of Bihar. PM Modi's rallies will help NDA to successfully create a new wave in this election season: Union Minister Nityanand Rai.
Bihar Assembly Election: BJP Faces Questions Over Poll Promise
The BJP's "free coronavirus vaccination for all" promise in Bihar ahead of next week's election has become hugely controversial with the ruling party fending off allegations of an "appalling" attempt to use the vaccine for its political agenda.
Read Here Preparations underway at Biada Maidan in Sasaram, Bihar, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally today.