The scrutiny of nomination papers for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections has been completed today for 122 assembly constituencies. In this phase, voting will take place in 122 constituencies across 20 districts on 11th November. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 23rd October. During the scrutiny process, the nomination paper of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) candidate from the Sugauli Assembly constituency in East Champaran district was rejected.
The nomination of VIP candidate Shashi Bhushan Singh was cancelled due to an insufficient number of proposers. This has come as a major setback for the Grand Alliance . From the NDA, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) has fielded Rajesh Kumar, alias Bablu Gupta, from the same constituency.
In the second phase of the Assembly elections, polling will be held in the districts of Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Banka, Kaimur, Rohtas, Gaya, Nawada, Arwal, and Jehanabad. Voting will also take place in the Seemanchal region, which includes Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, and Araria districts. In addition, the Mithilanchal region – comprising Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Supaul, along with East and West Champaran districts – will also go to polls in this phase.
Several election rallies were organized today by star campaigners of the NDA. Janata Dal (United) National President and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed election meetings in Minapur and Kanti Assembly constituencies of Muzaffarpur in support of NDA candidates. Mr. Kumar highlighted the development works and achievements of his government. Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary addressed several public meetings in Gopalganj, Sasaram, Mohania, and Ramgarh. Meanwhile, Grand Alliance leader and MP Pappu Yadav claimed that the alliance is receiving overwhelming public support from the people of Bihar. He expressed confidence that the Congress would perform outstanding in the Assembly elections. RJD State President Mangani Lal Mandal said that party leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav will soon launch the party’s election campaign. On the other hand, Jan Suraaj Party senior leader Prashant Kishor accused the BJP of threatening and intimidating his party candidates. However, BJP leader Nitin Nabin dismissed the allegations, saying that Prashant Kishor is unable to manage his own party.
Other constituents of the Grand Alliance, including the CPI (ML), Vikassheel Insaan Party, and two other Left parties, are also campaigning in various Assembly constituencies.