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Campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections ended on Tuesday, November 4, evening, bringing to a close an intense round of rallies, roadshows and speeches by national and regional leaders. Voters in 121 constituencies across 18 districts will head to the polls on November 6 in a contest that will decide the fate of 1,314 candidates. Counting of votes will be held on November 14.

The first phase covers major districts including Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai, Nalanda and Gopalganj. According to the Election Commission, over 3.75 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots. Strict security arrangements have been made, with one General Observer deployed in each constituency and live webcasting planned for all polling stations.

The final day of campaigning saw top leaders from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition Mahagathbandhan make last-minute appeals to voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing party workers through the NaMo App, expressed confidence that the NDA would return to power with a record majority.

“I have seen this election closely, and one thing I can say is that the NDA is winning this election with a huge margin. The people of Bihar have made up their mind to make the NDA victorious,” PM Modi said, urging workers to ensure strong voter turnout.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, campaigning in Darbhanga and Motihari, reiterated that Bihar must not “go back to jungle raj” and appealed to voters to back the BJP-led alliance. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also addressed multiple rallies, asserting that his government’s focus on infrastructure and social welfare would continue if voted back to power.

Both alliances have placed employment, migration and women’s empowerment at the heart of their manifestos. The NDA’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ promises one crore jobs in the next five years and financial aid of up to Rs 2 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana. The alliance has pledged to make at least one crore women ‘lakhpati didis’.

The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, has offered government jobs for one member in every family, Rs 2,500 monthly allowance for women, 200 units of free electricity and a review of the liquor ban. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav announced that Rs 30,000 annual assistance under the Mai Bahin Maan Yojana would be deposited in women’s accounts in January if the alliance comes to power.

The campaign has been marked by sharp barbs and personal attacks. PM Modi accused the RJD of corruption and lawlessness, repeatedly invoking the term “jungle raj” and alleging that the party relied on intimidation symbolised by “katta” (country-made pistols).

Tejashwi Yadav hit back, saying the NDA had reduced Bihar to a “labour supplier” and failed to generate meaningful employment. He accused the government of neglecting youth and farmers while focusing on “empty slogans”.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, addressing a rally in Aurangabad, claimed that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was “only a mask” while “the real power lies with PM Modi and Amit Shah”. Gandhi also criticised the Agnipath recruitment scheme, calling it an “injustice to the youth”, and promised to establish a global university in Bihar inspired by the ancient Nalanda if the INDIA bloc forms the government.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor held roadshows in Arrah, Sandesh and Shahpur, urging voters to view his party as a “new alternative” to traditional political forces. “People of Bihar have given decades to the same parties. It’s time to try a new model of governance,” he said. Kishor also criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for making “tall promises without accountability”.

The Election Commission has put in place comprehensive security measures for smooth polling. District magistrates and superintendents of police have been directed to maintain zero tolerance for violence. Adequate Central Armed Police Forces will be deployed to ensure peaceful voting.

Polling for the second phase, covering 122 constituencies across 20 districts, will be held on November 11. With both alliances making big promises and trading fierce accusations, the first phase of polling will set the tone for Bihar’s closely contested two-phase election, whose outcome could shape the political balance in the state for years to come.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros