Bihar polls phase 1: Turnout 64.46 pc; ‘attack’ on DyCM’s convoy sparks row

Why expelled leaders could tilt a closely fought election

With seat-sharing agreements and ticket distribution causing widespread unrest within the dominant political formations of Bihar – the ruling NDA and the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) - constituents of both blocs are now on a sacking spree.

Over the past week, the BJP, the JD-U and the RJD have all expelled dozens of leaders, including sitting and former legislators, suspected of sabotaging their poll campaign and others who have dared to formally rebel against their respective party’s choice of candidates and entered the poll fray as independents.

Given that the two-phase election, due on November 6 and November 11, is widely expected to be as closely fought as the previous one, with victory margins being slender, the widespread expulsions across the two alliances have added another layer of intrigue to the poll battle.

Read the full story here: Bihar's rebel factor: Why expelled leaders could tilt a closely fought election

Amit Shah's 'no vacancy' comment, and the renewed stature of Nitish

In the latest episode of The Federal's YouTube program Capital Beat, senior journalists Ashok Mishra and Faizan Ahmad examined the political undercurrents in Bihar following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that there was “no vacancy” for the Chief Minister’s post.

Shah appeared to have reaffirmed Nitish Kumar’s position at the helm of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Shah’s remark, which came after weeks of speculation about the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate, is seen as a significant climbdown from his earlier stance that newly-elected legislators would decide the next Chief Minister.

The timing of his statement - weeks before the state elections - has led political observers to describe it as an exercise in damage control amid the growing influence of the Janata Dal (United).

Read the full story here: Amit Shah's 'no vacancy' comment, and the renewed stature of Nitish

Why Owaisi’s pitch finds few takers in Muslim-majority Kishanganj

The mood in the Muslim-majority Kishanganj district of Bihar is clear – people want peace, prosperity, and development, not religious polarisation or communal disturbance.

This reflects a warning for the AIMIM, which is struggling to repeat its 2020 Assembly polls performance in Seemanchal, a region comprising flood-prone and economically backward districts such as Purnea, Katihar, Araria, and Kishanganj.

In the 2020 Assembly polls, AIMIM had won five of the 24 seats in the region. However, with growing unemployment, migration, and high multidimensional poverty, the party is unlikely to repeat its performance in the 2025 elections.

The AIMIM’s credibility has also taken a hit, with four of its five MLAs from 2020 defecting to the RJD. “Voting for AIMIM will only help the BJP,” many locals said.

Read the full story here: Why Owaisi’s pitch finds few takers in Muslim-majority Kishanganj

Nitish Kumar’s video pitch for Bihar polls: Can he turn votes in JD(U)’s favour again?

In this Capital Beat episode, panellists Sanjay Kumar, Professor, AN College (Anugrah Narayan College), Patna, and senior journalist Gautam Sarkar examined the message, the opposition’s line of attack, and on-ground electoral signals.

The discussion focused on the video’s framing of governance gains, the Opposition’s health-related criticism of the chief minister, and questions over law and order raised after a recent killing in Mokama.

The panel also addressed alliance equations, seat prospects, and the role of smaller parties.

Read the full story here: Nitish Kumar’s video pitch for Bihar polls: Can he turn votes in JD(U)’s favour again?

Divya Gautam may not win Digha, but she is more than Sushant Singh Rajput’s cousin

Divya Gautam, Grand Alliance candidate from Digha, represents a new wave in Bihar politics — challenging dynastic norms, patriarchy, and symbolising hope for change

It is fairly likely that the name, Divya Gautam, would be eclipsed and eventually forgotten once the verdict of the Bihar Assembly Elections is declared.

Yet, over the past few days, stories which appeared in various newspapers — detailing her unconventionalism and socio-political valour — make it evident that she symbolises hope for India.

By pursuing strategies, which Divya Gautam believes will enable her to emerge as an agent of change, she has the potential of being the usherette of the renewed dream of an egalitarian and inclusive nation.

Read the full story here: Divya Gautam may not win Digha, but she is more than Sushant Singh Rajput’s cousin

Why Dularchand Yadav's murder has become a flashpoint of Bihar polls

A political murder in Mokama on the outskirts of Patna, the state’s capital, has ignited tempers not only in and around the place but also in the adjoining districts.

Dularchand Yadav (76), was shot dead and allegedly crushed under a vehicle on Thursday (October 30), was brought. He touted himself as the president of All India Yadav Sangh and would call himself Bihar's “taal ka badshah” (king of the wetland belt).

The septuagenarian leader's elimination during a campaign commotion has exposed the state's caste fault lines and brought 'lawlessness' under the scanner.

Read the full story here: Why Dularchand Yadav's murder has become a flashpoint of Bihar polls

NDA double standard: Fielding ‘bahubalis’ while condemning RJD’s ‘jungle raj’

The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) star campaigners in the ongoing assembly elections in Bihar — from Modi, Nitish Kumar, and Amit Shah to Yogi Adityanath, Rajnath Singh, and JP Nadda — have been repeatedly raising the spectre of “jungle raj” and reminding people not to allow their return.

At the same time, they are relying on the once-dreaded “Bahubalis” (strongmen) and their wives and sons in seeking votes to help them win the battle.

Read the full story here: NDA double standard: Fielding ‘bahubalis’ while condemning RJD’s ‘jungle raj’

How Tejashwi’s pitch for change is getting drowned in flood fury, dissent in RJD citadel

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, may be expecting huge Yadav consolidation from Raghopur, Tejashwi’s home constituency and a key citadel of the Lalu Prasad Yadav family, in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls.

However, despite sureshot chances of winning in Raghopur, Tejashwi faces huge public discontentment, especially for allegedly doing little to protect villages in the constituency from recurring floods and improving the condition of affected residents.

Read the full story here: How Tejashwi’s pitch for change is getting drowned in flood fury, dissent in RJD citadel

Bihar polls 2025: Why political analysts are wary of making a call on this closely-fought election

The outcome of Bihar polls remains uncertain few days before polls amid controversial deletions of 47 lakh voters, and political crosscurrents.

For the two decades that Nitish Kumar has been in power, Bihar has seen two rival blocs at play led by the CM himself (with the BJP) and the RJD of Lalu Prasad Yadav (now his son Tejaswi) with its Congress and Left allies.

But, in this election, there is a high-profile third player too, the Jan Suraaj Party of former poll consultant Prashant Kishor.

As for the BJP, its well-displayed default option is to try to purchase legislators. The party is laden with resources, being the benefactor under Modi’s leadership of the two richest companies in the country and a host of others who have poured funds into Modi’s party through the Electoral Bonds scheme.

This is partly the reason for the reluctance on the part of observers to be precise in taking a call.

Read the full story here: Bihar polls 2025: Why political analysts are wary of making a call on this closely-fought election

Unmet promises, rising crime: Why Nalanda is slipping away from Nitish’s grip

Nitish Kumar’s iron grip over his fortress of Nalanda seems to be slipping, his Kurmi caste card notwithstanding.

The Election Commission’s data of the last four assembly elections only confirms the JD(U)’s slow decline in the district — something resentful voices from the ground openly declare.

Nitish’s party now faces tougher contests in Nalanda, even in the areas that were once considered his unbeatable bastions.

Though the JD(U) has still been winning the majority of the seats, the margins have been slender. From 21.17 per cent in 2005, when Nitish ended the RJD’s rule to begin his continuing tenure in the state, it went down to just 9.06 per cent in the last Assembly elections.

The decline has surely not eluded Nitish, who, unlike in the past, has devoted a lot of his energy to Nalanda constituencies during the ongoing election campaign.

He has held back-to-back rallies in Bihar Sharif, Asthawan, Rahui, and Nalanda. Earlier, Nitish would rather devote his time to other districts, as Nalanda, with his solid voter base, would be rather a cakewalk for him.

Read the full story here: Unmet promises, rising crime: Why Nalanda is slipping away from Nitish’s grip