Bihar's Political Destiny Hangs in the Balance as Final Phase Nears
The political temperature in Bihar has reached a fever pitch as the state prepares for the final and most decisive phase of the Bihar Assembly elections 2025. All eyes are firmly set on November 11, when voters will head to polling booths to conclude a fiercely contested electoral battle that will determine the future of the state's governance.
A High-Stakes Contest: NDA vs Mahagathbandhan
The electoral landscape is dominated by a neck-and-neck contest between two major alliances. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is locked in a direct confrontation with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress led Mahagathbandhan. This final phase is particularly crucial as it covers a massive 122 constituencies out of the total 243 in the state assembly, making it the largest single-phase voting exercise in this election cycle.
According to the Election Commission, a staggering 1,302 candidates are in the fray for this final leg of polling, indicating the intense competition across the state. The first phase of polling, held on November 6, set a strong precedent with a robust voter turnout of 64.6%. The constituency of Begusarai emerged as a frontrunner in civic participation, registering the highest turnout at 67.32%.
Campaigning Reaches Crescendo with Top Leaders in Fray
As the campaign period entered its final 48 hours, top political leaders embarked on a last-minute blitz to sway voters. On Friday, Union Minister Amit Shah conducted an aggressive outreach for the NDA, addressing three rallies and holding a roadshow. The campaigning for the final phase is officially scheduled to conclude on the evening of November 9.
The political discourse, however, has been marred by allegations of malpractice. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp attack during rallies in Banka and Bhagalpur. He accused BJP leaders of engaging in 'vote chori' or vote theft, alleging that they cast votes in both Delhi and Bihar during the first phase. He referenced similar evidence previously presented by Congress during the Haryana elections.
Meanwhile, both alliances have presented contrasting interpretations of the first phase's voter turnout. The Congress party claimed it possesses ground reports suggesting that 12 out of 15 ministers who contested in the first phase are likely to lose their seats. In a counter-narrative, the BJP hailed the high participation as a clear sign of 'pro-incumbency'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the significant turnout was a testament to the trust people have in the track record of the double-engine government led by him and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, describing it as a reflection of public confidence.
With the final phase now imminent, the political fate of Bihar hangs in the balance, promising a dramatic conclusion to one of the most keenly observed state elections of the year.
