On poll eve, minister in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet resigns over ‘bribe video’

India Today managing editor Rahul Kanwal visited Patna in Bihar where the first phase of the Assembly elections took place on Monday, and interacted with a few of the youngsters who were planning to vote. “Bihar must become the strength of our nation”. Analysts say a victory for Modi’s party would signal approval of its attempts to push its brand of Hindu right-wing politics. The BJP is pitted against what has been termed “a grand coalition” forged by two regional leaders, current Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, and Lalu Prasad Yadav.

“What is most important for us is jobs”, college student Sangeeta told reporters outside a polling booth in Bihar early Monday.

“If there are jobs, the youth won’t have to leave the state and go elsewhere for employment”.

“There will be no respite for Bihar if it chooses a government that is at conflict with the Centre”, senior BJP leader Sushil Modi said.

The Election Commission gave this assurance to a BJP delegation, which met with the Chief Election Commissioner and other two Election Commissioners, and submitted a letter against corrupt practices by the Bihar Government in the on-going Assembly elections.

Opinion polls predict a tight race. “Both Mohan Bhagwat and Modi are anti-reservation and anti-Dalit and anti-OBCs”.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav in his tweet message stated “I challenge Mr. Modi to have an open debate with me on the issue of overall development, socio – economic justice, reservation policy, census and good governance”. “(Crime, corruption and arrogance, is that the alliance for Bihar’s progress?”) where crime and corruption refers to the RJD and Congress. The tamer “arrogance” is a reference to Nitish Kumar.

Kushwaha resigned on Sunday after he was caught on camera while allegedly accepting Rs. 4 lakh from individuals posing as “businessmen from Mumbai”.

Modi has visited 13 times over the last three months to deliver speeches, as he tries to win power in a region where caste allegiances traditionally decide elections.

India’s Hindus consider cows sacred and since Mr Modi took over as prime minister, several BJP-ruled states have tightened laws protecting cows.

Voting has begun in crucial elections in India’s northern Bihar state, which is being widely seen as a test of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s popularity.

A few observers say Modi has put off pushing through contentious reforms ahead of the polls for fear of losing votes, such as a land acquisition bill to make it easier for firms to buy farmland.

More than 66 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in 243 seats between Monday and 5 November.