71 seats in Bihar vote today

Authorities bolstered safety in 71 meeting constituencies throughout 16 districts that go to the polls within the first part of Bihar’s meeting elections on Wednesday, deploying 108,000 troops to keep off bother in areas stricken by left-wing extremism.

Election fee officers stated round 1,200 firms of troops have been deployed within the Maoist-affected districts of Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui and Lakhisarai. Authorities additionally requisitioned three helicopters and constructed two helipads to make sure fast response in case of any bother. Maoist posters have surfaced in a number of districts threatening to disrupt the electoral course of.

“Our main focus is to ensure smooth conduct of polls and safety of voters, as well as polling staff,” stated a senior police official.

A Central RPF official stated routine de-mining workouts by joint groups of district police and CAPF are being carried out in all of the affected districts.

On Tuesday, forces recovered three improvised explosive units (IED) planted on Manjri-Parsa Chuan highway in Gaya district.

“The recovered IEDs were defused by the CoBRA jawans and the search operation is on against the suspect Maoist. A case has been also lodged in this connection,” stated Gaya senior superintendent of police Rajiv Mishra.

Polling will start at 7 am and proceed till four pm in some constituencies and until 6pm in others, marking the primary mass election in India because the pandemic struck the nation earlier this yr. The election fee has notified strict tips for distancing, masks sporting and temperature checks, and procured hundreds of non-public protecting gear and Covid gear. Roughly 24.5 million voters will determine the destiny of 1,066 candidates – together with eight sitting ministers.

With campaigning for the primary part full, politicians centered on the 94 seats going to the polls within the second part on November three with chief minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav locked in a verbal battle.

Without naming his rival Lalu Prasad, Kumar instructed a rally in Vaishali that no growth could possibly be anticipated from individuals producing “8-9 kids” for a son.

“Does anybody care? They produce 8-9 kids. They have no faith on daughters. They had 7-8 daughters before a son. What kind of Bihar they want to make?” Kumar stated on Monday.

Yadav stated on Tuesday that by making such feedback Kumar was concentrating on Prime Minister Narendra Modi “who has 5-6 brothers and sisters.” “He is tired – both physically and mentally. And hence he is making such remarks,” Yadav stated.

A row additionally broke out over a remark by Yadav at a rally on Monday with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) saying the RJD chief was casteist.

At a gathering in Rohtas on Monday, Yadav had stated, “ When Lalu Yadav was in power, the poor used to walk before ‘babu saheb’ with their head held high. However, we will take everybody along.” Babu is commonly a time period used for some upper-caste communities.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal(United) accused him of enjoying the “caste card” and hurting sentiment. “In the process of inheriting the political legacy of his father, Tejashwi has started speaking like Lalu Prasad,” stated Union minister Giriraj Singh.

Yadav defended himself and stated he used the time period to spotlight “corruption”.

Nitish Kumar campaigned in his dwelling turf of Nalanda, addressing seven rallies and promising solar-powered road lights and irrigation services if elected to energy once more.

“Amid the pandemic, it is not possible to reach out to many people due to shortage of time. However, I have decided that after the elections, I will reach out to the whole of Bihar.

BJP chief JP Nadda, who addressed rallies at Madhubani and Dhaka, said some people are conspiring to divide votes by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticising Nitish Kumar.

In Dhaka, Nadda criticised Yadav’s promise of one million government jobs. “He must retrospect what had transpired when Lalu Rabri were at the helm of affairs. Over 10 lakh people migrated from the state due to the lawlessness and anarchy in the state. Do you want lawlessness to prevail again? Do you want jungle raj to return?” requested the BJP president.

Union minister Smriti Irani attacked the Opposition at rallies in Kalyanpur (East Champaran) and Jagdishpur (West Champaran).

Yadav crisscrossed East and West Champaran and referred to as upon the plenty to overthrow the incumbent authorities.

Addressing an election rally at Lalsaraiya, the chief of Opposition alleged 60 scams through the 15 years of rule by Nitish Kumar. “As a result, state exchequer has suffered a loss of over Rs. 30, 000 crore.You have to grease the palm of the babus to get the things moving in any office,” stated Yadav.