Bihar Election, 1st Phase Highlights: PM warns voters against ‘Jungle Raj ke Yuvraaj’; 53.54% provisional voter turnout

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, throwing at him "chai and pakoda" jibes and accusing him of "not talking about" issues confronting India such as unemployment but speaking only about other countries. On his second round of campaign in the ongoing state elections, Gandhi addressed two back to back rallies -- one at Valmiki Nagar in West Champaran and the other at Kusheswar Asthan in Darbhanga -- and also assailed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the issues of unemployment, migration and poverty. (PTI)

93 cases registered for violation of COVID-19 guidelines in the first phase of polling for Bihar assembly elections today: ADG Jitendra Kumar, Bihar (ANI)

PM Narendra Modi will make Bihar 'developed' state if people vote NDA to power: CM Nitish Kumar (PTI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday said there was anger among small shopkeepers, youths, farmers and labourers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar. Addressing his second poll rally of the day at Kusheswar Asthan in Darbhanga, the former Congress president also said it was sad that Prime Minister Modi's effigy was burnt in Punjab on the occasion of Dusshera. 'You didn't get to see it perhaps because Nitishji and Modiji control the media,' he alleged. He said the people of Bihar gave 15 years to Nitish Kumar as chief minister and six years to Modi as Prime Minister yet 'Bihar is the poorest state'. He said the ongoing elections in Bihar was about the states future and if the Congress comes to power with its Grand Alliance partners it will be the government of allcastes and religions. (PTI)

Voter turnout of 51.68% recorded till 5 pm in the first phase of Bihar polls: Election Commission of India (ANI)

Addressing Kumar as the "vartamaan evam bhaavi mukhyamantri (the present and future CM)", PM Narendra Modi said progress made by Bihar in the last decade-and-a-half has raised people's aspirations and the state was poised to touch new milestones like becoming the next IT hub. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the opposition RJD in Bihar, calling its chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav the "yuvraaj" (crown prince) of "jungle raj" and attacking him over the promise of 10 lakh government jobs. He cautioned people against the double whammy Bihar could face if those responsible for having turned the state "beemar" (sick) were voted to power amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. (PTI)

Rahul Gandhi in Bihar: I can guarantee this that the government formed will be a government for all. For every caste, every religion, every district and class. There will be exemplary development in Bihar. 

Bihar Election 2020: Over 46 per cent turnout has been recorded till 3 pm in the first phase of Bihar Polls. Highest turnout recorded in Lakhisarai district (49.84 per cent) followed by Jamui (49.79 per cent). 

Bihar Election 2020: Voter turnout of 46.29% recorded till 3 pm in the first phase of Bihar Polls. Highest turnout recorded in Lakhisarai district (49.84 per cent) followed by Jamui (49.79 per cent). Lowest turnout recorded in Sheikhpura (41.67 per cent). The voting is underway for 71 seats in the first phase of assembly election of Bihar.  

Bihar Election 2020: Prime Minister Modi addressed three rallies in Bihar. His first address was Darbhanga, second in Muzaffarpur and third in Patna. Speaking at these places, the Prime Minister attacked opposition leaders saying they neither had any model nor experience to run the government. He said that if the opposition came to power then no private companies will come to Bihar. “The party which is infamous for closing down industries of Bihar is today promising development to the people of Bihar. Let alone government jobs, if they come to power even private companies will flee from Bihar,” Prime Minister said in Muzaffarpur. FULL STORY 

The Congress today compared Chief minister Nitish Kumar with General Dyer on Wednesday and demanded that he should apologise for Munger firing. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said human beings were treated as animals and worms by the police in Munger, when they beat up devotees taking out Durga idols "cruelly and mercilessly". "I want to ask, is it a crime in this country to do Durga Pooja with all requisite safeguards and if it is some violation, is this the way to treat human beings like chattels, like animals, I would say like worms?" he said. One person was killed and over two dozen people, including security personnel, were injured in firing and stone-pelting during the immersion of Durga idols in Bihar's Munger. 

Bihar Election 2020: The Bharatiya Janata Party today filed complaint to Election Commission against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his tweet asking for votes in the first phase of Bihar Elections. In the tweet poster earlier today, Rahul Gandhi urged voters to "vote for justice, employment, your vote for grand alliance'." 

Bihar Election 2020: Over 33 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm. Here's latest poll percentage :- 

Bihar Election 2020: 33.10% turnout has been recorded till 1 PM. The maximum 40.16 per cent turnout has been recorded in Lakhisarai, followed by Nawada (38.08%) and Patna, Jamui and Bhagalpur (over 34 per cent). Banka has recorded 33.14 per cent turnout, Gaya 32.90 per cent and Rohtas 30.26 per cent. State ministers and also candidates from different constituencies- Vijay Sinha and Krishnandan Verma- and commonwealth games gold medal winning shooter Shreyasi Singh, BJP nominee from Jamui seat, cast their vote.

Bihar Election 2020: Returning Officer to file an FIR against Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar for violation of the model code of conduct by wearing a mask with his party's symbol at polling booth. 

Returning Officer will file an FIR against Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar for violation of the model code of conduct by wearing a mask with his party's symbol at a polling booth. Kumar was seen arriving at a polling booth in Gaya to cast his vote wearing a mask with his party's symbol.  

The constituencies going to polls in the third and last phase of election in Bihar. 

1. Valmiki Nagar
2. Ramnagar (SC)
3. Narkatiaganj
4. Bagaha
5. Lauriya
6. Sikta
7. Raxaul
8. Sugauli
9. Narkatia
10. Motihari
11. Chiraia
12. Dhaka
13. Riga
14. Bathnaha (SC)
15. Parihar
16. Sursand
17. Bajpatti
18. Harlakhi
19. Benipatti
20. Khajauli
21. Babubarhi
22. Bisfi
23. Laukaha
24. Nirmali
25. Pipra
26. Supaul
27. Triveniganj (SC)
28. Chhatapur
29. Narpatganj
30. Raniganj (SC)
31. Forbesganj
32. Araria
33. Jokihat
34. Sikti
35. Bahadurganj
36. Thakurganj
37. Kishanganj
38. Kochadhaman
39. Amour
40. Baisi
41. Kasba
42. Banmankhi (SC)
43. Rupauli
44. Dhamdaha
45. Purnia
46. Katihar
47. Kadwa
48. Balrampur
49. Pranpur
50. Manihari (ST)
51. Barari
52. Korha (SC)
53. Alamnagar
54. Bihariganj
55. Singheshwar (SC)
56. Madhepura
57. Sonbarsha (SC)
58. Saharsa
59. Simri Bakhtiarpur
60. Mahishi
61. Darbhanga
62. Hayaghat
63. Bahadurpur
64. Keoti
65. Jale
66. Gaighat
67. Aurai
68. Bochahan (SC)
69. Sakra (SC)
70. Kurhani
71. Muzaffarpur
72. Mahua
73. Patepur (SC)
74. Kalyanpur (SC)
75. Warisnagar
76. Samastipur
77. Morwa
78. Sarairanjan

Prime Minister Modi launched the second leg of his campaign for Bihar assembly elections. He raked up the Ayodhya issue and urged the people to defeat the opposition which had ushered in a "jungle raj" in the state and embezzled funds meant for development schemes. He also invoked the imagery of Goddess Sita and her father Janaka, the king of Mithila of which this north Bihar town became the capital later on. PM Modi said those who used to taunt the BJP over the delay in construction of Ram temple were now forced to applause.

"I am happy to be here, in the birth place of Mother Sita. Construction of temple at Ayodhya has also begun. Those political opponents who used to taunt us with the question what is the date (for commencement of construction), have now been forced to clap in applause," Modi told a rally at Darbhanga.

Bihar Election 2020 | In 31,371 polling stations in Bihar during the first phase of Assembly elections, 41,689 ballot units, 31,371 control units and 31,371 VVPATs have been deployed. As of 10 am, 0.18% ballot units, 0.26% control units, and 0.53% VVPATs have been replaced: EC

Bihar Election 2020: 18.31 per cent of the total electorates have exercised their franchise. The maximum 26.76 per cent turnout has been recorded in Lakhisarai, followed by Nawada (23.42%) and Banka (22.58 per cent). Buxar has recorded 19.10 per cent turnout, Gaya 19.02 per cent, Aurangabad 18.46 per cent, Sheikhpura 17.31 per cent, Kaimur (Bhabua) 16.98 per cent and Bhojpur 16.21 per cent. Munger recorded a turnout of 15.71 per cent, Rohtas 15.32 per cent, Arwal 14.81 per cent, Jamui 13.91 per cent, Jehanabad 11.39 per cent, Bhagalpur 6.84 per cent and Patna 5.96 per cent. 

Bihar Election 2020 LIVE: 18.31 per cent turnout recorded till 12. Highest turnout recorded in Lakhisarai district (26.76) followed by Nawada (23.42 per cent). The lowest turnout recorded in Jahaanbad (11.39 per cent). Polling is underway for 71 assembly seats. 

The constituencies going to polls in second phase of Bihar Eelction 2020. 

1. Nautan
2. Chanpatia
3. Bettiah
4. Harsidhi (SC)
5. Govindganj
6. Kesaria
7. Kalyanpur
8. Pipra
9. Madhuban
10. Sheohar
11. Sitamarhi
12. Runnisaidpur
13. Belsand
14. Madhubani
15. Rajnagar (SC)
16. Jhanjharpur
17. Phulparas
18. Kusheshwar Asthan (SC)
19. Gaura Bauram
20. Benipur
21. Alinagar
22. Darbhanga Rural
23. Minapur
24. Kanti
25. Baruraj
26. Paroo
27. Sahebganj
28. Baikunthpur
29. Barauli
30. Gopalganj
31. Kuchaikote
32. Bhore (SC)
33. Hathua
34. Siwan
35. Ziradei
36. Darauli (SC)
37. Raghunathpur
38. Daraunda
39. Barharia
40. Goriakothi
41. Maharajganj
42. Ekma
43. Manjhi
44. Baniapur
45. Taraiya
46. Marhaura
47. Chapra
48. Garkha (SC)
49. Amnour
50. Parsa
51. Sonepur
52. Hajipur
53. Lalganj
54. Vaishali
55. Raja Pakar (SC)
56. Raghopur
57. Mahnar
58. Ujiarpur
59. Mohiuddinnagar
60. Bibhutipur
61. Rosera (SC)
62. Hasanpur
63. Cheria-Bariarpur
64. Bachhwara
65. Teghra
66. Matihani
67. Sahebpur Kamal
68. Begusarai
69. Bakhri (SC)
70. Alauli (SC)
71. Khagaria
72. Beldaur
73. Parbatta
74. Bihpur
75. Gopalpur
76. Pirpainti (SC)
77. Bhagalpur
78. Nathnagar
79. Asthawan
80. Biharsharif
81. Rajgir (SC)
82. Islampur
83. Hilsa
84. Nalanda
85. Harnaut
86. Bakhtiarpur
87. Digha
88. Bankipur
89. Kumhrar
90. Patna Sahib
91. Fatuha
92. Danapur
93. Maner
94. Phulwari (SC)

From NDA, the BJP is contesting on 110 seats and JDU is fighting on 115. On the other side, the RJD is contesting on maximum number of seats followed by the Congress. Tejashwi Yadav is contesting on 144 seats while Congress on 70. Rest are divided among other constituents. In 2015, the RJD had emerged as the single largest party by winning 80 seats, 58 more than what it had got in 2010.

One person was killed and over two dozen people including security personnel were injured in firing and stone-pelting during goddess Durga idol immersion. The incident happened late Monday night at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Chowk under the Kotwali police station limits of the city. People alleged the young man, who was in his early 20s, died in police firing but the administration said he was hit by a bullet fired by somebody from among the crowd.

Munger firing: Chirag Paswan has targeted Nitish Kumar for firing in Munger where one person died. Speaking to reporters, the LJP chief said: "Who is responsible for the firing and lathicharge incident in Munger? Chief Minister is now playing the role of General Dyer who ordered the Jallianwalah massacre. I am sure CM is responsible for the incident, an investigation should be done." 

Bihar Elections 2020: Voters of Balgudar village in Lakhisarai district boycott elections, booth number 115 wears a deserted look. "Villagers are not voting as they're protesting against the construction of a museum on a playground," says Presiding Officer Mohammad Ikramul Haq.

Congress Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil: BJP wants to keep 'Chirag' in their hand to light up their home and burn down Nitish Ji's house. Woh 'Chirag' ko bhi bujhana chahte hain. So BJP wants to use Chirag first, then get rid of him later.

Bihar Election Phase-I: Six members of the state cabinet Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai), Krishnanandan Prasad Verma (Jehanabad), Jaikumar Singh (Dinara), Ram Narayan Mandal (Banka), and Santosh Kumar Nirala (Rajpur) are in the fray. Of the six, Krishnanandan Prasad Verma, Jaikumar Singh and Santosh Kumar Nirala belong to the JDU, while the remaining leaders are from the BJP.

Bihar Election 2020: Constituncies going to polls in phase-I

1. Kahalgaon
2. Sultanganj
3. Amarpur
4. Dhoraiya (SC)
5. Banka
6. Katoria (ST)
7. Belhar
8. Tarapur
9. Munger
10. Jamalpur
11. Suryagarha
12. Lakhisarai
13. Sheikhpura
14. Barbigha
15. Mokama
16. Barh
17. Masaurhi (SC)
18. Paliganj
19. Bikram
20. Sandesh
21. Barhara
22. Arrah
23. Agiaon (SC)
24. Tarari
25. Jagdishpur
26. Shahpur
27. Brahampur
28. Buxar
29. Dumraon
30. Rajpur (SC)
31. Ramgarh
32. Mohania (SC)
33. Bhabua
34. Chainpur
35. Chenari (SC)
36. Sasaram
37. Kargahar
38. Dinara
39. Nokha
40. Dehri
41. Karakat
42. Arwal
43. Kurtha
44. Jehanabad
45. Ghosi
46. Makhdumpur (SC)
47. Goh
48. Obra
49. Nabinagar
50. Kutumba (SC)
51. Aurangabad
52. Rafiganj
53. Gurua
54. Sherghati
55. Imamganj (SC)
56. Barachatti (SC)
57. Bodh Gaya (SC)
58. Gaya Town
59. Tikari
60. Belaganj
61. Atri
62. Wazirganj
63. Rajauli (SC)
64. Hisua
65. Nawada
66. Gobindpur
67. Warsaliganj
68. Sikandra (SC)
69. Jamui
70. Jhajha
71. Chakai

JDU leader Sanjay Jha on Chirag Paswan: It has been proved that Chirag Paswan is Tejashwi Yadav's B team, now do we need to say anything more? To help Tejashwi, this entire game is being played. Chirag Paswan has failed in 'Reel' life as well as in his real life. 

BJP President JP Nadda appeals to voters to participate in the grand festival of democracy while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. In a tweet, he said the right to cast vote is the biggest strength of democracy. "First phase of polling for Bihar assembly elections is being held today. I appeal to people to take part in the grand festival of democracy while keeping COVID related precautions in mind," Nadda said. "Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan (First vote then take meal)", he said.

Bihar Election 2020: BJP candidate from Jamui and Shooter Shreyasi Singh casts her vote at a polling booth in Naya Gaon area of the district.

Bihar Election 2020: We condemn firing by police in Munger, in which 1 person was killed. This double-engine governmentt definitely had a role in it. We want to ask Deputy CM Sushil Modi, who gave permission to become General Dyer? We want High Court-monitored probe," says RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. 

Bihar Election 2020: In the first phase, the candidates in the fray include 952 men and 114 women. As many as 33 of the constituencies where polling is underway in the first phase have been declared as 'sensitive or hypersensitive' constituencies

Former Congress chief Rahul Ganhdi urges people to vote for justice and employment. The Congress is contesting the election with the RJD under the leadership of Tejaswi Yadav. 

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: District Election Officer cum District Officer, Buxar voted and appealed to voters of Buxar district to vote.