Tomorrow, November 6, Bihar's first phase of assembly elections kicks off across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the ruling NDA and opposition Mahagathbandhan. In 2020, the Mahagathbandhan—led by RJD, Congress, and Left parties—dominated here, clinching 63 seats to NDA's 55 in this southern and central belt. This time, with 7.42 crore voters including 14 lakh first-timers, the battle echoes deep grievances over jobs, migration, and governance, as legacy dynasties face off against development promises.

Star campaigners have turned Bihar into a political tinderbox. For NDA, PM Narendra Modi's Patna roadshow drew massive women's crowds, boosting Nitish Kumar's 20-year welfare legacy despite his health concerns. Joined by Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the blitz warns of "jungle raj" return under RJD. Mahagathbandhan counters with Rahul Gandhi's fiery "Vote Chori" rallies against alleged voter deletions and Tejashwi Yadav's 10-rally blitz in Madhepura and Muzaffarpur, promising Rs 30,000 women's aid. Gandhi's fisherman swims and Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatras aim to fire up OBCs and Dalits, though his two-month absence lingers as a weak spot.

Main agendas cut to Bihar's core pains: unemployment driving youth migration, corruption scandals, crumbling education, and healthcare gaps. Mahagathbandhan's manifesto vows one government job per family—1.3 crore over five years—plus "Mai-Bahin" cash transfers, old pension restoration, and free electricity to strike at anti-incumbency. NDA fires back with 1 crore jobs, 1 crore "women lakhpatis," AIIMS expansions, and infrastructure like district industries, touting Nitish's free power and prohibition as lifelines for women and the poor.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Drops ‘H-Files’: Claims 20 Lakh Voters Removed to Fix Haryana Polls

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj Party stirs the pot as a wildcard spoiler, contesting all 243 seats with a focus on clean governance, education reform, and anti-corruption drives via his Bihar Badlav Yatra. Polls suggest it could fracture opposition votes in key spots like Digha, while 32% of candidates—423 total—carry criminal tags, including 157 murder cases, tainting the fray across parties from CPM (100%) to BJP (56%). This adds fuel to debates on "degree vs chargesheet" in Bihar's rough democracy.

As EVMs hum at 90,712 stations, NDA's resource edge—dozens of CMs and ministers—clashes with Mahagathbandhan's people-powered surge, marred by 12 "friendly fights" and ally coordination woes. Surveys hint NDA could double its Phase 1 tally to 76-78 seats, but Tejashwi's job mantra and Rahul's outrage might flip the script. Beyond numbers, Bihar's pulse throbs with a cry for change: will the Jan (people) topple the Tantra (system), or will Modi's machine hold firm? The verdict on November 14 could redefine India's heartland politics.

Also Read: #BiharPolls: Prashant Kishor Takes Sharp Aim at Tejashwi Yadav, Questions His 'Retirement Plans'