Bihar Assembly Election 2025 LIVE Updates: ‘Big netas come and never talk about your present, citizens need to wake up’, says Priyanka Gandhi in first poll rally

Union Commerce Minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Mahagathbandhan alliance on Saturday, while speaking to NDTV ahead of the state Assembly elections.

Defending the NDA government’s development and employment agenda for Bihar, Goyal dismissed the Opposition’s promises as “empty rhetoric”, calling their leadership a reminder of “failed political experiments”.

Taking direct aim at Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the BJP leader said, “Those who fail the exam keep crying all the time. The Mahagathbandhan is a failed experiment. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are symbols of that failure.”

His remarks came in response to Tejashwi Yadav’s accusation that the NDA had copied several points from the Mahagathbandhan’s election manifesto.

Goyal argued that the NDA’s track record of governance, infrastructure expansion and industrial initiatives in Bihar stood in contrast to what he termed the “empty politics of blame” practiced by the Opposition.

“The people of Bihar have seen through these repeated experiments. They know who brings results and who brings excuses,” he said, asserting that the NDA’s focus remained on job creation and sustained development.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary on Saturday dismissed speculation about him replacing Nitish Kumar as the state’s Chief Minister, firmly stating that “there is no vacancy” for the post and reiterating his party’s continuing support for the latter’s leadership in the state.

Responding to questions about his potential elevation to the top post, Choudhary told NDTV, “There is no vacancy for Chief Minister in Bihar. The state has seen a long, turbulent chapter in its political history. After Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Sri Krishna Sinha, many leaders held the position, but none could complete a full term. Nitish Kumar changed that narrative. Since 2005, Bihar has seen real progress — from school uniforms and bicycles for students to a tenfold increase in the number of high schools, from 2,000 to 10,000.”

Asked whether it was time for the BJP to assert itself more strongly in Bihar, he said: “We are the makers.” He reminded the audience that the BJP has historically played a crucial role in shaping Bihar’s political landscape.

– via IANS

In her first election rally in Bihar on Saturday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a sharp attack on the NDA government at both the Centre and in state. She accused it of indulging in “divisive politics” and promoting “fake nationalism” to win elections.

In the Begusarai rally, Priyanka said, “There is no double-engine government in Bihar — everything is controlled from Delhi.” She also criticised the BJP over the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, alleging that deleting voters’ names amounted to a “breach of people’s rights”.

“They first divided people, went to war, but couldn’t divert attention from real issues, so they are now stealing votes,” she claimed, taking aim at the ruling party.

“This resolution document is our promise for the next five years, which we are making with the vision of making Bihar a developed state… We will establish industries in every district. We have prepared this vision document with the complete roadmap,” he said.

“The work of the Mahagathbandhan has been reduced to nothing more than personal attacks on us… He (Tejashwi Yadav) says that he will give government jobs to every family. He should at least calculate how he will do it… When asked how it will happen, he says ‘it will happen,’ but it doesn’t work this way… We have prepared a complete roadmap. They keep making lakhs of allegations and counter-allegations, but the reality is that the people of Bihar have made up their mind to bring the NDA again,” Paswan added.

Union Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda will address several rallies in poll-bound Bihar on Saturday, while Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also come to the state to participate in two public meetings for the first time after the announcement of assembly elections last month.

“The way Tejashwi Yadav and Congress people got scared, they jumped up as soon as they saw the NDA’s manifesto… He (Tejashwi Yadav) gave empty promises… In the coming days, through this manifesto of ours, there is employment for the youth… Youth will get employment, there is talk of women’s entrepreneurship, cleaning of cities, increasing industries, this includes the roadmap for a developed Bihar,” said Union Minister Giriraj Singh.

“You have given me the opportunity to serve the people of Bihar continuously since 2005. When we took office, being called a Bihari was considered an insult. Since then, we have served you with complete honesty and hard work… Be it Hindus, Muslims, upper castes, backward castes, extremely backward castes, Dalits, and Mahadalits, work has been done for everyone. I did nothing for my family. Now, being called a Bihari is not an insult, but an honour. Only the NDA can bring about Bihar’s development. With NDA governments at both the centre and the state, the pace of development has accelerated significantly…” he said.

“There should be no place for violence in a democracy. We are surprised how can a 40-vehicle convoy go about with weapons? What is EC doing? What is the administration doing? What action has been taken so far?… Killing has happened, there are many witnesses….but the administration is quiet,…there is no investigation…Who is protecting goons?…” said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Rohini Acharya on Friday launched a scathing attack on the NDA’s Manifesto for the Bihar assembly election.

She described the NDA’s poll promises as an “old wine in a new bottle”.

“NDA’s Manifesto: Old Wine in a New Bottle. There is nothing new or original in the “Sankalp Patra” (manifesto) issued by the NDA for Bihar; the NDA lacks any vision of its own, merely copying many of the declarations made in the Mahagathbandhan’s “Tejswi Vachan” and presenting them with minor tweaks and alterations. Most declarations in the NDA’s new manifesto are such that they were also in the NDA’s previous manifestos and were never fulfilled. Dozens of declarations included in the NDA’s manifesto have no connection to Bihar’s fundamental development; they pertain to superficial (upper-level) development,” she added.

Soon after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released its joint manifesto, “Sankalp Patra”, for the Bihar Assembly elections, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a blistering attack on the ruling alliance, calling it a manifesto of “lies” and a “copy-paste” version of his own ‘Tejashwi’s Pledge’.

Tejashwi accused the NDA of lacking sincerity towards the people of Bihar, remarking that the manifesto’s release in just 26 seconds shows the alliance’s casual and careless attitude toward the state.

“For the first time in history, a coalition released its manifesto in just 26 seconds — this shows how little they care for the 14 crore people of Bihar,” he said.

– via IANS

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is set to hit the campaign trail in Bihar next week to drum up support for INDIA bloc candidates, including Bhojpuri star and RJD nominee Khesari Lal Yadav, in the upcoming Assembly elections.

In a statement released on Friday, the Samajwadi Party said Yadav will campaign across the state from November 1 to 5, addressing a series of election rallies. His itinerary spans key districts such as Purnea, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Saran, East Champaran, Siwan, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, Banka and Bhagalpur.

On NDA’s joint poll manifesto for Bihar elections, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra says, “Their manifesto must have stated that they want to plunder the country, ruin the farmers and labourers, and snatch away the food from people’s mouths. What else can happen?… The people of our country know that the NDA people are ‘jumblebaaz’ (schemers) and that they can do nothing.”

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said that they are following the same route that PM Modi will take.

“We will invite people and urge them to attend. The Prime Minister’s roadshow on the 24 was historic, and this one will be even more historic…” The PM will hold a roadshow in Bihar on Nov 2.

On NDA’s Sankalp Patra for Bihar Assembly elections, BJP State President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said the alliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not make mere promises — “we present ‘Sankalp’ before society…”

On Dular Chand Yadav’s murder, Jan Suraaj Party’s Bihar State President Manoj Kumar Bharti said that the party is being particularly targeted.

“Earlier, some people were abducted before nominations to force them to withdraw. The person who was shot wasn’t even a party worker, he was the uncle of an official candidate,” he added.

On NDA’s promises, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that they have now promised to set up factories in every district, and asked why these factories weren’t established in the past 20 years.

“Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that there’s a shortage of land, but that’s just an excuse, a hollow slogan. The people of Bihar have now understood their tricks and true character. This time, the people of Bihar will give them a fitting reply. Mahagathbandhan government will be formed, and the people of Bihar want to end unemployment. These people have increased unemployment, inflation, and poverty to unbearable levels…” Tejashwi added.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on dynasty politics during his Bihar rally, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the opposition can discuss if the PM wants so.

“…we are more than happy to do that. The discussion should start with the Karnataka BJP chief himself, Rajnath Singh, Anurag Thakur – and then we’ll discuss Congress, there is no issue,” he said.

On NDA promising jobs to one crore youth in the poll manifesto released today, RJD leader Misa Bharti asked from where will they will give jobs and how the alliance will get money for the same.

Reportedly, these are the same questions that NDA posed to opposition on its 2 crore job promises.

“‘Kiske baap ke ghar se layengey?’ When we promised to give jobs, we fulfilled it by giving jobs to 10 lakh people – first time in the history of Bihar. It was this CM (Nitish Kumar) who handed over the appointment letters when he was with us. Amit Shah said factories can’t be established in Bihar and on the other hand they have made several promises in the manifesto… how will they do it?” she said.

On NDA’s joint poll manifesto for Bihar elections, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, “Why are they presenting their ‘Sankalp Patra’ after 20 years?”

Khera said the BJP should first come out with a “report card on what they have done so far”.

“They talk about bringing industries to every district. But Amit Shah asked where we would get the land to set up industries. There is no coordination among these people. Even BJP leaders are notworking together,” he said.

CPI leader Annie Raja said that in the INDI Alliance manifesto, leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and others have clearly stated that the bloc is committed to providing at least one job to every family.

“This is a crucial issue before us because unemployment among Bihar’s youth is a serious concern. The energy and labor of Bihar’s young people should be used for the development of Bihar itself, not forced to migrate elsewhere,” she said.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday claimed that the ruling NDA released its manifesto, ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the Bihar assembly elections in a press conference that lasted only 26 seconds, as they are afraid of facing questions from journalists.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath addressed a rally in Bihar’s Siwan and said that he visited Raghunathpur the day before yesterday.

“‘Ek mafia wahan par phir se kabza karna chahta hai’. In Uttar Pradesh, we’ve bulldozed these mafias to pieces, opening the doors of hell for them…” he added while targeting opposition.

On the killing of Dularchand Yadav in Mokama, Jan Suraaj Founder Prashant Kishor said the deceased was not officially a member of Jan Suraaj.

“He was supporting Piyush Ji, the official Jan Suraaj candidate… ” he added.

Kishor condemned the incident saying that violence has no place in democracy. “The murder of someone is the responsibility of the administration and those responsible for law and order, and it’s their failure. ‘Baahubali’ may belong to any caste, any community, village, or ideology, but what is wrong is wrong,” he added.

On NDA’s joint poll manifesto for Bihar elections, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said they had promised new cities, smart cities in Goa.

“Tell me what the situation is today…” he asked.

The ex-UP CM said that the 1 crore jobs NDA promised, they had promised 2 crore jobs before that. “Where are those jobs? They had promised to double farmers’ income. Where is the doubling of farmers’ income?” Akhilesh Yadav said.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said he couldn’t go to Banka and Purnea yesterday, but he I addressed people there via Facebook, surprisingly.

“…that address has already been watched by over 600,000 people. There is strong enthusiasm for the NDA and the Prime Minister will be visiting soon…” he added.

On PM Modi’s speech in Bihar, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said the PM’s “level of language has deteriorated a lot”.

He said that calling someone ‘corrupt’, ‘Yuvraj’ was not correct when nothing has been proven against Rahul Gandhi.

“What has been proven against Gandhi family till date?” he asked,

“Not even one Rupee of corruption has been proven. Except defaming them, doing ‘mediabaazi’ and spreading rumours against them, there is nothing to it,” Shukla added.

The ruling NDA alliance has also promised 50 lakh pucca houses, free ration and 125 units of free electricity to people of Bihar in its ‘Sankalp Patra’.

It said the alliance will also provide free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh.

What NDA promises in ‘Sankalp Patra’:

Agricultural exports to be doubled through Made in Bihar scheme

100 MSME parks to be set up under ‘Vocal for Local’ pledge

Gig workers, auto drivers to be provided with financial help, skill development

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the NDA manifesto focuses on every individual. He said they have provided jobs and employment opportunities in Bihar and will continue to do so in the future.

“We have prioritised farmers, women, the Dalit community, and all other sections of society. The NDA has worked for the people in the past and will keep doing so in the years to come,” he added.