POLITICAL TEMPERATURES RISE BEFORE THE FIRST PHASE AFTER LODGING OF FIR AGAINST TAUSIF AND LALAN

POLITICAL TEMPERATURES RISE BEFORE THE FIRST PHASE AFTER LODGING OF FIR AGAINST TAUSIF AND LALAN

5-NOV-ENG 27

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Political temperatures rise before the first phase: FIRs against Tausif and Lallan, Muslim voters become key to the equation

Campaigning has come to a halt in 121 seats just before the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. Voters will now head to polling stations to elect their representatives. The political atmosphere remained extremely heated on the final day of campaigning. The FIRs filed against Tausif Alam and Union Minister Lallan Singh in the Seemanchal and Magadh regions have further raised the political temperature.

The biggest battle in this phase is being seen over Muslim and backward caste voters. Both RJD and JDU are trying to woo Muslim voters, while the BJP has highlighted the issue of development along with Hindu unity. The Owaisi factor is also active in Seemanchal, creating the possibility of a triangular contest.

Caste, religion, and money—all three are playing an equal role in this election. It is difficult to say right now “who is ahead, who is behind”, but the indications are clear that the first phase of voting will decide the direction of power in Bihar.