The post Record Voter Turnout in Bihar as 65 Percent Electorate Votes in First Phase of Assembly Elections appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The contest marks the beginning of a closely followed political battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the opposition INDIA bloc. The NDA, which has governed Bihar for nearly two decades with brief breaks, is seeking to retain power on the back of its reputation for good governance and recent welfare initiatives. On the other hand, the RJD-led opposition is banking on anti-incumbency sentiments and the promise of employment for every household under its chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav.
The first phase assumes national importance as it not only determines local outcomes but also reflects the wider political sentiment ahead of the 2029 general elections. The polling followed the Election Commission’s controversial Special Intensive Revision of voter lists, which drew criticism from opposition parties alleging manipulation and irregularities.
The second and final phase of voting is scheduled for November 11, while results will be declared on November 14. Prominent leaders such as Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and several ministers are among the 1,314 candidates contesting in this phase.
Isolated incidents of violence were reported, including an alleged attack on Sinha’s vehicle, though overall voting remained peaceful. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the strong participation of women voters as a sign of support for the NDA, stating that women have suffered most during previous regimes and now stand as protectors against a return to misrule.
The NDA hopes that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s record and welfare measures—such as 125 units of free electricity, financial aid to over one crore women, and enhanced pensions—will help counter anti-incumbency. The opposition, however, insists that Bihar needs change after two decades of NDA governance. RJD chief Lalu Prasad likened the situation to a roti that burns if not flipped, suggesting that the state needs new leadership under Tejashwi Yadav.
Both sides traded accusations during polling, with the RJD alleging that voting was deliberately slowed in opposition strongholds, a charge dismissed by the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Sinha claimed that RJD workers attempted to intimidate voters from backward communities.
Adding an unpredictable element to the race is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party. The former election strategist has drawn attention with promises of transforming Bihar into one of the leading states in India and a bold pledge to repeal the prohibition law, which he argues has hurt the state’s economy.
As the campaign intensifies, caste and community loyalties remain crucial in determining outcomes. Voters from Yadav, Kurmi, Kushwaha, Brahmin, and Dalit communities continue to hold significant influence in key constituencies, making the next phase of voting decisive for Bihar’s political future.
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]]>The post Congress Unveils Star Campaigners for First Phase of Bihar Assembly Elections appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Other key leaders set to actively participate in the campaign include AICC in-charge of Bihar Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, and Congress General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel, Sachin Pilot, Randeep Surjewala, and Syed Naseer Hussain. Senior leaders like Ashok Gehlot, Tariq Anwar, Gaurav Gogoi, Mohammad Jawed, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh also make the list.
The elections will take place in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be announced on November 14. As part of the opposition INDIA bloc, which includes RJD, Congress, and Left parties, Congress is working alongside RJD to contest the elections.
Additionally, the RJD-led alliance has already named Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Ministerial candidate for the Bihar polls, further intensifying the political contest in the state.
Among other prominent Congress campaigners are Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, veteran leaders Digvijaya Singh, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, Meira Kumar, Charanjit Singh Channi, and several others including Pawan Khera, Imran Pratapgarhi, and Shakeel Ahmed.
With such a robust list of campaigners, Congress is positioning itself strongly in the highly contested Bihar assembly elections, hoping to secure a significant victory in the state.
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]]>The post PM Modi Predicts Record-Breaking Win for NDA Under Nitish Kumar in Bihar Elections appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Speaking at his first campaign rally in the state, Modi took a sharp dig at the INDIA bloc, saying it was led by “leaders who are currently out on bail.”
During the event, Modi asked the crowd to light up their mobile flashlights, symbolizing a move toward modernity. Taking a jab at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), he remarked, “When everyone has access to modern technology, there’s no need for the old lantern anymore,” referring to the RJD’s election symbol.
The Prime Minister praised Nitish Kumar’s leadership, highlighting that despite facing difficulties during the Congress-led UPA government’s tenure, Nitish remained focused on development. “When he took office in 2005, nearly a decade of his term was affected by a non-cooperative central government, pressured by the RJD not to support Bihar’s NDA administration,” Modi said.
He emphasized that under the NDA government, Bihar has witnessed significant growth. “In the past eleven years, the state has received three times more central assistance than it did before. Bihar has made remarkable progress — from being dependent on others for basic needs to now exporting fish and expanding its makhana trade across the country and abroad,” Modi stated.
Calling Bihar an emerging investment destination, Modi envisioned a future driven by youth innovation. “I see every district of Bihar becoming a hub of startups led by young entrepreneurs,” he added, expressing optimism about the state’s development trajectory.
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]]>The post Former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudarshan Reddy Named Opposition’s Vice Presidential Candidate appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Kharge described the upcoming Vice Presidential election as more than a political contest, calling it “an ideological battle to safeguard democracy and the Constitution.” He stressed that the decision was taken with full consensus among all INDIA bloc parties. “I am happy that all Opposition parties agreed on one name. This is a major achievement for democracy. Whenever there is an attack on democracy or the Constitution, the Opposition will unite and fight back,” Kharge said.
Who is B. Sudarshan Reddy?
Justice Reddy is a distinguished former judge of the Supreme Court of India and also served as the first Lokayukta of Goa. He is currently a trustee board member of the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre, Hyderabad. Widely respected for his integrity and judicial acumen, he retired from the Supreme Court on 21 August 2011.
Opposition’s Strategy
By fielding Reddy, the INDIA bloc aims to strengthen its moral and constitutional appeal ahead of the polls. Opposition leaders see his candidature as a symbolic fight against what they term the erosion of democratic values in recent years. Kharge underlined that this election would send a message that the Opposition remains united: “This is not just about choosing a Vice President, but about protecting the spirit of democracy. That is why we decided to bring such a strong and credible candidate into the field.”
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