Patna: The Election Commission is all set to announce the poll schedule for Bihar assembly elections on Tuesday. The elections are expected to be held in multiple phases which may begin in mid-October and stretch till November.
Last assembly elections in 2010 were held in six phases and continued for 30 days. Results were declared in the following four days. This time the poll schedule could follow the same pattern.
Deciding on the poll schedule is tricky for the Election Commission considering that some big festivals fall in the months of October and November — Dussehra, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali, and Chatt.
The electoral bugle has already been sounded both by the BJP-led NDA and the grand alliance of the rival secularist parties – RJD-JD(U)-Congress. With the announcement of poll schedule, model code of conduct will be immediately in effect, which necessarily means no official announcements, which may have a bearing on influencing voters mind, can be made till the elections are over.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had four major’parivartan’ rallies in Bihar. He also had two official outings in Patna and Ara, where he announced a number of central schemes for development of Bihar, including a special package of Rs 1.65 lakh crore.
The announcement led to a war of words between the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish countered PM’s offer with a Rs 2.70 lakh crore development plan in the next five years that would include free electricity and drinking water connection in every household.
All eyes are on AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi – whether or not he fields candidates. Owaisi had a rousing rally in Muslim dominated Kisanganj, where he had indicated that his party might contest on 25 seats. But there is no official confirmation on that yet. There is a great deal of concern on RJD-JD(U)-Congress camp on Owaisi’s prospective move. The BJP-led NDA is looking at Owaisi’s moves with heightened curiosity.
While the nation will be hooked to heat and dust rose during polling in Bihar, Narendra Modi will have to stretch on his physical strength as he would be fasting for 10-days during Navaratri, the time when the campaigning would be at its peak. Will an aspirational Bihar think differently in these elections or will it opt for what Lalu Yadav claims is Mandal Part II?
Bureau Report
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