PM appeals voters of Bihar to show up in large numbers

Bihar on Thursday registered 59.46% voter turnout in the final phase of the assembly elections.

He also accused the grand alliance leaders of playing with nation’s security by “sheltering” those promoting terror and asked if such people should be allowed to form government in the state.

This was an extremely acrimonious and raucous campaign in which hitting below the belt was a norm and not an exception.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to exercise their franchise in the final phase of polling.

A total of 1,55,43,594 electors are eligible to vote on November 5 to decide the fate of 827 candidates, including 58 women.

With a close and bitterly fought election, it promises to be the knockout round with the victor takes all. As per an EC bulletin, Madhubani recorded 48.20 per cent voting, Supual 52.53 per cent, Araria 54.26 pc, Kisanganj 52.44 pc, Purnea 53.96 pc, Katihar 57.02 pc, Madhepura 51.87 pc, Saharsa 45.69 pc and Darbhanga 51.57 pc.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking heavily on Modi’s appeal and the support of the upper castes – Brahmins, Bhumihar, Rajputs – and also hopes to gain the backing of other communities.

Votes have already been cast for 191 of 243 seats in the Bihar assembly in the first four phases.

But the situation is the exact opposite of what it was five years back. In the fifth phase AIMIM and Pappu Yadav who are fighting for the Muslim seats in the fifth phase elections. However, in 37 seats in Yadav-dominated Kosi and Muslim-dominated Seemanchal areas, the grand alliance appeared to be in comfortable position. Out of 57 the BJP is contesting for 38 seats, LJP on 11 seats, HAM on 3 seats and RLSP on 5 seats from BJP+ sides while on MGB side, JDU will contest on 25 seats, RJD on 21 and congress on 11.