Bihar is witnessing intense political activity as assembly elections approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) victory during his interaction with women workers under the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' programme. Meanwhile, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav promised to disburse 30,000 rupees in one go to women under the proposed Mai-Bahin scheme if his government comes to power. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a massive 10-kilometre roadshow in Darbhanga, chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' over 260 times. Union Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned vigorously in Bettiah and Motihari, urging voters to press the voting button so hard that its impact reaches Italy. Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Aurangabad and Gaya, accusing the ruling dispensation of vote theft. Several incidents also marked the day, including the collapse of a 3.80 crore rupees bridge in Araria, an attack on Prashant Kishor's convoy in Ara, and a building collapse in Patna where four people were rescued. Authorities seized drugs worth nearly two crore rupees in Begusarai as part of election monitoring. A jewellery shop in Muzaffarpur reported theft of 2.50 lakh rupees. Three family members suffered burns in a cylinder explosion in Jamui. Political tensions escalated when a video of Union Minister Lalan Singh went viral, leading to a case being registered against him for code of conduct violation. The weather across Bihar is expected to remain normal with no rain forecast.
NDA and Opposition Leaders Exude Election Confidence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' programme, interacting with women party workers from Bihar. During the conversation, a woman expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming elections. The Prime Minister responded by stating that he has observed this election very closely and confidently declared that the NDA will win with a huge majority. He emphasized that he has no doubt whatsoever about the NDA's victory. On the opposition side, Tejashwi Yadav held a press conference in Patna on Tuesday, November 4, announcing that if his government is formed, the entire annual amount of the Mai-Bahin scheme would be transferred to women's accounts in a single payment. He promised 30,000 rupees would be credited on January 14, ensuring women benefit immediately. Additionally, he pledged to regularize Jeevika community mobilizers and pay them 2,000 rupees monthly.
Yogi's Massive Roadshow and Shah's Campaign Warnings
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an extensive 10-kilometre roadshow in Darbhanga on Tuesday, November 4. The procession began from Lohiya Chowk and featured enthusiastic crowds showering flowers from a bulldozer. Throughout the 60-minute roadshow, Yogi chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' 260 times and 'Maa Janaki' 70 times while holding a microphone. Streets were decorated with saffron flags as supporters raised slogans. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed rallies in Bettiah and Motihari during the last day of first-phase campaigning. He criticized Rahul Gandhi's recent journey, calling it an infiltrator protection tour, and vowed to remove every infiltrator from Bihar. Shah urged voters to press the button for NDA symbols with such force that the shock would be felt in Italy, warning that any voting mistake on November 6 and 11 could bring back jungle raj.
Infrastructure Collapse and Security Incidents Reported
Araria district witnessed another bridge collapse incident when the Kauachar bridge over the Parman river suddenly gave way on Monday. The bridge, connecting Forbesganj block with the ancestral village of Member of Parliament Pradeep Kumar Singh, was constructed by the Rural Works Department in 2019 at a cost of 3.80 crore rupees. Its 129-metre length became completely unusable after the central pillar collapsed. In Patna, an old building collapsed on Tuesday, trapping four members of one family. After a two-hour rescue operation, all were safely evacuated. Cries for help echoed from inside as neighbors gathered and some recorded videos showing half the house destroyed. In Ara, Jan Suraj Party candidate Dr. Vijay Gupta's convoy faced an attack in Pirota village. An intoxicated youth threw bricks and stones at vehicles, shattering windows and damaging the convoy severely, though the candidate was in another vehicle and escaped unharmed.
Election Enforcement Actions and Other Incidents
Since the election code of conduct came into force, enforcement agencies in Begusarai have seized drugs worth nearly two crore rupees and liquor worth an equal amount. District Magistrate Tushar Singla stated that comprehensive monitoring operations are underway across all seven assembly constituencies. In Muzaffarpur's Mushhari area, thieves broke into a jewellery shop at Manika Chowk on Monday night, stealing gold, silver ornaments and cash worth 2.50 lakh rupees. Shop owner Prem Kumar Soni discovered the broken lock the next morning. A cylinder explosion in Jamui's Sikandara police station area at Kurhadeeh village left three family members severely burned, including Kausalya Devi, her daughter Khushbu Kumari, and nephew Saroj Kumar. A viral video showing Union Minister Lalan Singh allegedly instructing workers to confine certain leaders on voting day led to an FIR being registered against him for code of conduct violation following an RJD complaint to the Election Commission.
Source: Link