The announcement of two-phase assembly elections in Bihar by the Election Commission of India (ECI) Monday evoked contrasting reactions from the BJP and the Congress as political parties in the state geared up for the upcoming polls.
The BJP hoped of a “grand victory” for the ruling NDA alliance in the state, while the Opposition Congress, a part of the Mahagthbandhan, expressed dissatisfaction over Election Commission’s handling of the entire electoral process as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) urged citizens to join the “Mahagathbandhan government of change”.
BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam said, “When we speak of the NDA, we are fully prepared. We are heading towards a grand victory. I think we will register a historic win and we will get a record number of seats. Tejashwi Yadav makes tall claims but he knows that he has limited reach. Our alliance is complete, all allies are strong. We have the blessings and support of people. In Mahagathbandhan, Congress weakens RJD and they will face a loss.”
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing the dates for the assembly elections, told media persons that voting in the first phase will be held on November 6 and the second phase will take place on November 11.
The Congress Party, with 19 MLAs in the Mahagathbandhan, alleged collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. “We are not satisfied because we don’t get answers to our questions. The Election Commission is being questioned on a daily basis. They claimed about illegal migrants, where are the illegal migrants. We can see an alliance of the BJP and the EC,” Congress leader Pawan Khera said in an X post.
The EC made the announcement Monday after taking stock of poll preparedness in the state over the last two days, holding meetings with political parties, top police and administrative officials.
Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy chief minister and the leader of the RJD, that is desperately looking to return to power with its Mahagathbandhan, said, “My dear Biharis, the day votes will be counted, that date would ‘shine in golden letters’ as it would be the start of Bihar’s transformation.”
The EC delegation, during its weekend visit, sought suggestions from political parties, including the BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, and AAP, on election schedule amid high-voltage debate around authenticity of the Special Intensive Revision, better known as SIR, of the electoral rolls.
The JD (U), which had urged the EC team to hold elections in one phase, said the people of Bihar have seen the development work under the able leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and they would bless the party again to serve them.
“The EC has taken a decision to hold elections in two phases, there has been no doubt whatsoever, we have worked under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in the last 20 years. We have been connected with the people, there are numerous achievements…The work that we did, we are hopeful that people will bless Nitish Kumar, they will give opportunity to serve again,” JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said.
Post the announcement this evening, Governor of Bihar Arif Mohammad Khan expressed confidence of peaceful elections in the state. “The elections will be peaceful as we are the largest democracy. The issue of SIR has been resolved. We shouldn’t create issues out of non-issues. People will take part in the elections enthusiastically. The situation has changed from before, and the elections will be held peacefully. The people of the state will decide who forms the government. They should think and then vote. It is the authorities’ responsibility to ensure everyone can exercise their franchise without fear.”