Bihar election 2020: 53.51% voter turnout recorded in 2nd phase

As 53.1 per cent of voter turnout was reported in the second phase of Bihar elections, incidents of stone-pelting at Nitish Kumar's rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instigation for people to vote and Rahul Gandhi's suggestion to rectify people's mistake in the last election were also witnessed.

Patna: The second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections 2020 witnessed a similar voter turnout as the first phase with around 54 per cent. Polling was held in 94 constituencies across 17 districts of the state.

According to the Election Commission, the polling percentage was recorded as 53.51 per cent in the second phase of Bihar elections. Voting began at 7 am and continued till 6 pm, unlike in previous elections which ended an hour earlier. The time was extended to let COVID-19 patients and those with symptoms to exercise their franchise in the last hour.

Chandra Kumar Bhushan, Deputy Election Commissioner said polling had been done at 165 out of 243 constituencies. 1,463 candidates contested of which 494 had criminal antecedents, the official informed. 3,712 webcasting arrangements were made at polling stations. 420 cases of MCC observed in phase two, he added. Rs 65.22 crore was seized till morning against 23.81 crores seized during 2015 Assembly elections, the official informed.

A sub-inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) on duty at a polling booth for the Lalganj assembly seat died of heart attack. After casting his vote at a polling booth in Patna's Rajendra Nagar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi appealed to people to step out of their homes, cast votes, maintain social distancing and wear masks. Meanwhile, LJP's Chirag Paswan cast his vote at a polling booth in Raghopur.

The ruling JDU contested on 43 seats, its NDA ally the BJP battled it out on 46. The RJD fielded candidates for 56 seats, while the Congress fought in 24 constituencies. RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav and four ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Cabinet are in the fray along with 1,447 other candidates.

Read: Bihar elections: Retaining seats major challenge for all parties

Stone pelted at Nitish Kumar's rally

Onions were reportedly hurled at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's rally in Madhubani's Harlakhi as he began speaking about unemployment. The Chief Minister appeared to be unfazed and reportedly told the people to throw more, as his security personnel moved to protect him.

In his fourth visit to the state in recent weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that the BJP and JDU alliance would return to power in Bihar. His remarks came at a time when polling was underway in 94 seats in the second phase.

'Power of every single vote will brighten Bihar's future'

Addressing an election rally in Bihar's Saharsa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that every single vote for the NDA counts and would be instrumental in brightening the future of the state. 'It is the power of every single vote that will guarantee a bright future for the state of Bihar. Each and every vote is very important and powerful. Every citizen of Bihar is well aware of the betrayal of the 'jungle raj' that had been in power. They repeatedly kept the poor away from the electoral process. The poor of Bihar did not even have the right to form a government of their own, 'Prime Minister Modi said in Saharsa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed backlash from Opposition for invoking Bharat Mata ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram during an election rally in Bihar while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that Modi and Nitish Kumar looted the people of the state and it was time to vote them out.

Modi, Nitish looted Bihar: Rahul Gandhi

At a rally in Bihar's Kishanganj, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over various issues like demonetisation, the Centre's farm laws and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rahul slammed the Prime Minister for announcing a lockdown without any notice and alleged that only the Congress had been willing to help the stranded migrant labourers.

During a rally in Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Every youth of Bihar knows that Narendra Modi and Nitish have together looted Bihar. They have destroyed Bihar's small shopkeepers. Now the youth and the farmer of Bihar have decided to vote for Grand Alliance."

During a rally in Katihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "In Chhattisgarh, farmers get Rs 2,500 per quintal for paddy, here you get Rs 700. What mistake did you make? You voted for Nitish ji and Modi ji. Now it is the time to rectify the mistake."