Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 10: As Bihar prepares for the decisive second and final phase of its Assembly elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge voiced strong optimism about the Mahagathbandhan’s chances, promising to liberate the state from what he called two decades of a “helpless system.”
In a social media message, Kharge declared that the Grand Alliance would bring an end to years of stagnation. “The Mahagathbandhan will free Bihar from the helpless system of 20 years. Migration will stop, the youth will no longer face darkness — every home will have opportunities,” he wrote.
Kharge pledged to usher in an era of social and economic justice, saying that Dalits, Mahadalits, tribals, backward and most-backward communities, minorities, and the economically weaker sections would all secure their rightful place. He further promised economic upliftment for women, farmers, and young people, asserting that the people of Bihar were ready to “change the picture of the state” and “restore its pride.”
The high-stakes campaign for the final phase, scheduled for Tuesday (November 11), came to a close on Sunday evening. This round will see polling across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, following the first phase that covered 121 seats in 18 districts. A total of 1,302 candidates — including 136 women — are contesting, with around 3.70 crore voters expected to cast their ballots at 45,399 polling centres.
In the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP secured 42 of these 122 seats, followed by the RJD with 33, JD(U) with 20, Congress with 11, and the Left parties with five. In contrast, the 2015 polls — when the JD(U) and RJD were allies — saw the BJP limited to 36 seats, while the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance swept 80.
The constituencies heading to polls span central, western, and northern Bihar. The BJP maintains a traditional foothold in regions like Tirhut, Saran, and northern Mithilanchal — including East and West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Saran districts. JD(U) retains influence in Bhagalpur, while the Mahagathbandhan remains strong in the Magadh belt covering Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal. Congress, meanwhile, continues to rely heavily on its allies for traction in these areas.