Overview
- Voting is set in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14, in a bipolar contest between the NDA (BJP–JD(U)) and the INDIA bloc led by the RJD and Congress, with Jan Suraaj promoted as a possible disruptor.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeated his “katta” jibe at rallies in Saharsa and Katihar, framed the RJD–Congress as a threat linked to “jungle raj,” and pressed allegations of infiltration with a focus on Seemanchal.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged to identify and expel infiltrators, urged voters to block a return to lawlessness, and highlighted welfare delivery such as Ayushman Bharat coverage and transfers to Jeevika groups.
- Congress leaders escalated their counteroffensive: Priyanka Gandhi alleged the voter‑roll revision disenfranchised 65 lakh people and called for change, while Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Nitish Kumar’s alignment with the BJP as top opposition figures held rallies and Lalu Prasad led a roadshow.
- The Election Commission began a new Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across multiple states, days after Bihar’s earlier exercise removed over 68 lakh names, drawing fresh warnings from Congress MP Pramod Tiwari against a rushed process.