Overview
- Modi opened the NDA’s drive with rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai, publicly naming Nitish Kumar as the alliance’s leader in Bihar and asserting the NDA would break past victory records.
- He framed the contest as good governance versus the RJD’s ‘jungle raj’, accused RJD and Congress leaders of corruption and being “out on bail”, and used slogans and mobile-light displays to underline the message.
- Modi credited the NDA and Nitish with development gains, claiming Bihar received three times more central assistance over the past 11 years and citing infrastructure and market access improvements.
- The opposition INDIA bloc has projected Tejashwi Yadav for chief minister, while Amit Shah said allies would decide their leader after results, leaving post-poll leadership choices open within the NDA.
- The 243-seat assembly will vote on November 6 and 11, with counting and results on November 14.