Voting for the second phase of Bihar polls is scheduled to take place on October 16. The BJP-led NDA is ready to lock horns with the grand regional alliance of JD(U)-RJD in Round 2 of the Bihar bout. A total of 456 candidates will battle for power and pride in six Naxal-hit districts across the state.
As campaigning across 32 assembly constituencies came to an end on Wednesday, experts shifted their attention to the results of 2010. JD(U)-RJD had won 21 out of 32 seats in 2010, while the BJP had to settle for nine.
Good weather conditions are expected to prevail on polling day. A slight chill will be experienced in the morning, with the temperature hovering around the low 20s. However, warm weather is expected in the afternoon with a gentle breeze bringing marginal relief. There’s no threat of rain and largely comfortable conditions are expected on the day of voting.
A win in Bihar will strengthen BJP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha. This will, in turn, accommodate the progress of the controversial Goods and Services Tax bill which remains stuck in the upper house as the ruling alliance doesn’t have the numbers to secure majority votes.
As for JD(U)-RJD, the battle is about Nitish Kumar’s acid-test as a development-friendly leader and Lalu’s fight for survival and relevance in Bihar. In addition to this, the fate of many senior leaders will be on the line as Bihar votes on Friday. Security in the six polling districts has also been beefed up, owing to the looming Naxal threat in these parts of the state.
(Featured Image Credit: indiatoday.in)
