Campaigning ends for final phase of Bihar assembly polls; voting on Tuesday

The second and final phase of polling will be held on Tuesday across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 14. The first phase, held on November 6 over 121 seats in 18 districts, recorded a record turnout of 65.08%, marking one of the highest in the state’s electoral history.

Finishing touches were given to the blitzkrieg on the closing day Sunday by senior leaders from all major parties, including Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, chief minister Nitish Kumar and Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav, as rallies and roadshows spanned the breadth of the state.

For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Union ministers Amit Shah addressed public meetings at Sasaram and Arwal, Rajnath Singh at Aurangabad and Kaimur, while Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath campaigned at Sikti in Araria district, highlighting the NDA’s development record, improved connectivity, and welfare initiatives. “Bihar now has all the facilities needed for development,” he said, stressing the NDA’s commitment to “heritage, progress, and the welfare of the poor.”