Bihar Election 2020 Phase 2 voting highlights: Second phase of polls closes with 54.64% voter turnout

Polling is underway for the second and, arguably, the most crucial of the three phases of Bihar assembly elections in which over 2.85 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,463 candidates in fray for 94 seats across 17 districts today. The candidates, whose fates will be sealed today, include RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav. Stay tuned for live updates.

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Under Covid shadow, phase-2 of Bihar polls passes off peacefully, turnout 54.64%

The second phase of polling on 94 seats in the Bihar assembly elections passed off peacefully Tuesday with a voter turnout of over 54.64 per cent, marginally lower than the 2015 figure, as Covid-19 failed to dampen the democratic spirit of citizens.

JD(U) submits memorandum to Election Commission against Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap

The ruling JD(U) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding registration of an FIR and cancellation of nominations of Tejashwi Yadav and his brother Tej Pratap Yadav for allegedly concealing information about some properties in their election affidavits.

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PM Narendra Modi takes a dig at Congress as BJP grows in strength in Rajya Sabha

As BJP grew in strength in Rajya Sabha, shoring its number to 92 as against 38 of Congress after the November 2 elections for the Upper House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a swipe at the main Opposition party saying public anger has reduced the party to such a sorry state that it has been left with less than 100 MPs in both Houses of Parliament together.

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Tehseen Poonawalla files complaint with EC over PM's Bihar poll rally speech

Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission over a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Bihar assembly polls campaigning, alleging that the PM was trying to polarise the elections on communal lines.

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Bihar: Crucial second phase poll over; Tejashwi Yadav's fate sealed

The crucial second phase of polling in 94 constituencies in Bihar was over on Tuesday with around 54 per cent of the electorate exercising their franchise. Today’s poll was significant in the sense that the alliance, which could muster support in the first two phases, could scrape through in the fiercely-fought three-phase election.

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53.51% turnout in Phase 2 of Assembly polls in Bihar, figure likely to go up: EC

The 94 assembly constituencies that went to poll in the phase two of Bihar elections on Tuesday recorded 53.51 per cent turnout and the figure was likely to go up as voting continued beyond schedule in several places, the Election Commission said.

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Come November 10, Tejashwi's critics will be 'khamoshed': Shatrughan Sinha

Critics of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will be "khamoshed" (silenced) when results for Bihar assembly polls are declared on November 10 as the 'Mahagathbandhan' is headed for a "landslide" win, senior Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha said on Tuesday.

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Bihar Assembly election result will surprise everyone: Tejashwi Yadav

As political parties fight tooth and nail for the Bihar Chief Minister’s post, 31-year-old Tejashwi Yadav seems unfazed saying that this election “will surprise everyone”.

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Polling percentage is at 53.51% as of now in the second phase of Bihar Polls: Election Commission - ANI

BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai after casting their votes earlier toay.

Voters stand in long queues to cast their votes at a polling station during the second phase of Assembly elections at Diyara in Danapur, Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

NDA in Bihar has met people's needs, it will meet their aspirations, says PM Modi

"In Bihar, rangbaazi (rowdyism) and rangdaari (extortion) are losing and vikas (development) and kanoon kaa raaj (rule of law) is winning, parivarvaad (dynasty rule) is being defeated by janatantra (democracy)," he asserted.

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Youths know that Modi, Nitish looted Bihar: Rahul Gandhi

Addressing a poll rally here, the former Congress president criticised the NDA government over demonetisation, the migrant crisis, GST, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the three new farm laws.

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Bihar Election: Stones pelted at CM Nitish Kumar during campaign

“Aur phenko. Jitna mann ho, utna phenko. (Throw more stones....as much as you like),” Nitish told the angry youths, and at the same time asked his security men, who, by then, had encircled him as security cover, to move aside and let him have direct contact with the unruly mob.

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A 109-year old voter is helped by an ITBP official at a polling booth in Siwan. Credit: @DDNewslive

Villagers participate in a protest 'Road Nahi Vote Nahi' as they refuse to vote during the second phase ofBiharAssembly polls, at Baruraj in Muzaffarpur district, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

Around 44.51 % voter turnout till 3 pm in the Phase 2 of Bihar Assembly Polls

A woman with her newborn baby arrives to cast her vote for the second phase ofBiharAssembly Elections, at Meenapur in Muzaffarpur district, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar casted his vote in Digha earlier today

'Vocal for local' is a campaign that will change the lives of the local artisans. It is a way with which our local products will gradually become a part of the global market, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at : PM Modi at Saharsa rally.

There is a group of people that doesn't want you to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' or 'Jai Shri Ram.' All of them have now come together & asking for votes from the people of Bihar. There's a need to give a befitting answer to such people, says PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi is addressing his second rally for the day in Bihar'sSaharsa.

Bihar has left behind the darkness of insecurity and anarchy in the last 15 years under Nitish Kumar, says the PM.

By telling lies, the Congress showed dreams of the people of the country. Before elections, they say that we will eradicate poverty, waive off farmers' debt, reduce tax. They talked a lot, but history is witness that they didn't do anything: PM Modi

Bihar reports 32.82% voter turnout till 1 pm in the second phase.

A security person keeps vigil as voters stand in a queue during the second phase ofBiharassembly polls, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Muzaffarpur district, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Credit: PTI Photo

NDA in Bihar has met people's needs, it will meet their aspirations: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dismissed suggestions of anti-incumbency against the Nitish Kumar government inBihar, asserting that the NDA had spent the last decade meeting the people's "needs" and was now focused on taking care of their "aspirations.

Addressing a rally in this northBihartown of Araria district, Modi also asserted that trends of the first phase of assembly elections, and the second that was underway, suggested that voters of the state had rejected "double yuvraaj", an expression he has coined for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav.

"InBihar, rangbaazi (rowdyism) and rangdaari (extortion) are losing and vikas (development) and kanoon kaa raaj (rule of law) is winning, parivarvaad (dynasty rule) is being defeated by janatantra (democracy)," he asserted.

Recalling the state's notoriety for booth capturing in the 1990s, the prime minister said "They (NDA's predecessors in government) had deprived the poor of even their right to vote. It is the NDA which empowered the downtrodden in the state again."

PTI

Congress never walked the talk that's why its total strength has shrunk below 100 in Parliament, says PM Narendra Modi at rally

"The public cannot be fooled for long, look at what condition the public has put Congress party in... Today they do not even have a total of 100 MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha... people still punish them whenever there's a chance," says PM Modi

Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad cast his vote in Patna

I congratulate our Election Commission for the conduct of elections in such tough times with extra preparations and precautions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Forbesganj in Araria district.

Today the people of Bihar have given a message not only to the country but to the entire world. In this crisis of corona, when there is a worldwide outbreak, people of Bihar are stepping out of their homes and voting in such large numbers, says PM Modi

NDA gave the poor the right to vote in the truest sense of the word, says PM Modi in Forbesganj in Araria district.

Proponents of "jungle raj" snatched from poor right to vote with culture of booth capturing, NDA restored it, saidPM Modi.

Lawlessness, extortion losing while development and rule of law winning in Bihar, says the PM.

Voter turnout at 11 am stands at 19.26%

Bihar poll 2nd phase: Modi urges people to participate in 'festival of democracy' in large numbers

"Votes will be cast for the second phase in the Bihar assembly elections today. I appeal to all voters to make this festival of democracy successful by voting in large numbers," Modi said in a tweet in Hindi.

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WATCH | A voter at polling booth in Bihar's Deoria constituency

The Phase 2 of Bihar Assembly Elections saw 8.05% voter turnout till 9 am

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: First-time voters, here is how you cast your vote in the elections

With the Bihar Assembly Elections nearly here, many thousands of first-time voters will take their first steps into the democratic system of India, cast their franchise and play their part in putting the next government in the state. As many political parties court them for their votes, this guide is to help understand how to vote at the polling booth.

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Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal after casting his vote in Bihar's Bettiah district on Tuesday. Credit: Special Arrangement

Nadda urges people to vote in large numbers

As polling began for the second phase of Bihar assembly elections and bypolls in 10 states, BJP President JP Nadda on Tuesday appealed to people to come out in large numbers and ensure their participation in the grand festival of democracy while adhering to Covid-19 guidelines. Besides Bihar assembly polls, voting is underway for by-elections to 54 assembly constituencies in 10 states including 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh where the BJP is locked in a keenly-fought contest with the Congress to save its government. (PTI)

Do vote, so that new govt of your choice is formed: Rahul to Bihar voters

As polling began for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged people to vote so that a new government of their choice can be formed. Taking to Twitter, the former Congress chief said he will be in Bihar's Korha and Kishanganj on Tuesday and will talk about issues such as "growing unemployment", problems faced by farmers and a "weak economy".

The polling percentage stood at 8.05% in the second phase of Bihar elections 2020 till 9 am, according to Chief Electoral Officer(CEO).

A local at the polling booth says, "We've been waiting for our turn to cast our vote, but Sushil ji just came, cast his vote andleft. He's a VVIP.”

RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav who is contesting from the Hasanpur seat in the Bihar assembly elections, says, "The public wants a change in Bihar. I appeal to people to cast their vote."

Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan after casting his vote in Patna on Tuesday. Credit: Special Arrangement

A girl arrived at a polling booth in Patna with her grandmother on cycle to cast vote in the second phase of Bihar elections.

I appeal to the people to step out of their homes, cast their vote, maintain social distancing and keep wearing mask, saysDeputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi after casting his vote.

Voting begins for the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls. 1,463 candidates, including RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, in fray for 94 seats across 17 districts.

All eyes on phase 2 of Bihar Assembly polls as NDA faces tough race against Mahagathbandhan

All eyes will be on the second phase of polling on November 3 when voting in 94 Assembly constituencies in Bihar will begin on Tuesday morning. With ground reports suggesting that the Mahagathbandhan had a slight edge during the first phase of poll in which voting took place in 71 constituencies in Magadh and Shahabad region on October 28, the NDA will have to perform better than expected for the Tuesday poll if it wants to remain in the race.

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She is already taking an active part in the campaign for her father Chandrika Roy in Parsa, which he has represented a number of times and is seeking to retain on a JD(U) ticket this time.

There were said to be fears in the RJD camp that Tej Pratap’s bid to retain Mahua could be challenged by the NDA through his estranged wife Aishwarya as its trump card.

Tejashwi’s elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav is trying his luck from Hasanpur in Samastipur district, shifting his base from Mahua in Vaishali.

The BJP has retained its trust in Satish Kumar, hoping that the giant killer will be able to do a repeat of 2010 when, like this time, JD(U) president and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was with the NDA.

The 31-year-old is seeking re-election from Raghopur in Vaishali district which he had wrested back for his party from the BJP’s Satish Kumar in 2015. The BJP leader had defeated Yadav’s mother Rabri Devi, a former chief minister, in 2010.

Notable among the candidates is the RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition Grand Alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate, who has been aggressively trying to cash in on the anti-incumbency factor against the Nitish Kumar government.