Modi–Priyanka Face-Off Sets Bihar Poll Stage Ablaze in First Phase of Voting

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections witnessed intense political fireworks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra exchanged sharp blows during high-voltage rallies across the state. Polling for 121 constituencies marked the beginning of a three-phase electoral battle that has already turned into a fierce confrontation between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

Modi Blames Opposition for ‘Jungle Raj’ and Loot

Addressing a rally in Araria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan, accusing it of plunging Bihar into “jungle raj” between 1990 and 2005.

“Not a single bridge was built during that era, and the state was looted in the name of governance,” Modi alleged, evoking memories of lawlessness and economic stagnation during the RJD’s tenure.

The Prime Minister lauded the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for what he described as Bihar’s transformation from “chaos to growth.” Highlighting infrastructure and institutional progress, Modi pointed to the establishment of premier institutions like IIT Patna, IIM Bodh Gaya, AIIMS Patna, and AIIMS Darbhanga, claiming they symbolized Bihar’s march toward modernization.

Priyanka Counters with Charges of Collapse and Corruption

In a spirited counterattack during her rally at Motihari, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the NDA of “destroying Bihar’s foundations” and dismissed Modi’s claims of progress.

Citing the collapse of 27 bridges in the last three years, Priyanka questioned the government’s claims of development, saying that “Bihar’s infrastructure is literally falling apart.” She further alleged that rampant corruption and poor governance have eroded public trust and accountability.

“Bihar’s youth have been betrayed,” she said, referring to repeated paper leaks that have delayed recruitment processes and crushed the dreams of thousands of aspirants.

Appeal to Bihar’s Historical Pride

Priyanka invoked Bihar’s historic role in India’s freedom struggle, reminding voters of Mahatma Gandhi’s first Satyagraha movement in Champaran. “It was the people of Bihar who inspired Gandhi ji to lead India’s fight for independence. Today, Bihar must again lead the nation — by voting for truth, justice, and development,” she urged.

She called upon the electorate to defend their democratic rights and view the Mahagathbandhan as the true alternative to what she described as the NDA’s governance failures.

A Battle of Narratives

As the campaign intensifies, Bihar finds itself at the crossroads of two competing narratives:

• The NDA’s development pitch, centered on infrastructure growth and economic progress.

• The opposition’s critique of mismanagement, unemployment, and declining public infrastructure.

With two more phases of polling yet to come, the state’s voters now face a crucial choice — between the NDA’s promise of continuity and the opposition’s call for change.