Bihar’s month-long, high-decibel election campaign drew to a close on Sunday evening, setting the stage for the second and concluding phase of polling scheduled for November 11. With 122 seats going to the polls in this round—following the first phase that saw voting in 121 constituencies on November 6—the state is now poised for a decisive verdict, which will be declared on November 14. The final leg of campaigning, marked by intense rhetoric, high-profile rallies, and strategic outreach across regions, capped one of the fiercest political contests the state has witnessed in recent years.

The first phase of voting recorded a robust turnout of 65 percent, a figure that has injected fresh energy into the electoral conversation. The second phase includes several important constituencies such as Chakai, represented by JD(U) minister Sumit Kumar Singh; Jamui, the seat of BJP MLA and shooter-turned-politician Shreyasi Singh; Dhamdaha, held by JD(U) minister Leshi Singh; and Chhatapur, represented by BJP minister Neeraj Kumar Singh. These constituencies, spread across diverse demographic landscapes, are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final electoral outcome.

On the final day of campaigning, both national and regional heavyweights descended upon Bihar, amplifying the stakes of the contest. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the closing-day charge, addressing packed rallies across districts perceived as critical to their respective parties’ fortunes.

Rahul Gandhi’s campaign focused strongly on the Seemanchal region—particularly Kishanganj and Purnea—which has a substantial Muslim population and is a key support base for the opposition INDIA bloc. Gandhi, who addressed a total of 15 election meetings during his Bihar tour, used his platform to connect with young voters. Framing the election as a battle for Bihar’s youth, he accused the ruling alliance of attempting to “steal the future” of the state’s younger generations. Calling upon Gen Z voters to remain alert at polling stations, he emphasized vigilance as essential to preventing electoral malpractice.

Amit Shah, who spent several days campaigning across Bihar, targeted constituencies like Sasaram and Arwal—areas where the BJP is comparatively weaker but views potential electoral gains. Shah reiterated his party’s charge that the Congress and RJD were unhappy with the State Electoral Roll (SIR), alleging that the deletion of “infiltrators” from the voter list had prompted their dissatisfaction. His messaging was consistent with the BJP’s larger narrative on national security and demographic concerns, themes he has frequently deployed during past election cycles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh continued the BJP’s offensive in his rallies in Aurangabad and Kaimur, districts that border Uttar Pradesh and hold strategic significance due to their historical voting patterns. Singh took pointed jabs at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, attempting to frame the opposition leadership as lacking administrative credibility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence loomed large over the Bihar campaign season. Although not present on the final day, his earlier involvement—marked by 14 rallies and a roadshow—constituted one of the most vigorous participation efforts by the prime minister in a state election in recent years. Modi’s messaging spanned development, welfare schemes, national security, and critiques of the opposition’s governance record.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also made her debut in a Bihar assembly election campaign. Despite weather disruptions that forced the cancellation of one of her events, she delivered 10 rallies and a roadshow. Her speeches emphasized employment, inflation, and women’s issues, areas the Congress has consistently highlighted as central weaknesses of the incumbent government.

The BJP-led NDA brought an array of leaders to bolster its prospects. BJP president JP Nadda, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the chief ministers of three states—Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh, Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam, and Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh—featured prominently on the campaign trail. Actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Manoj Tiwari added star appeal, while leaders from allied parties such as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh contributed to the NDA’s cross-regional support effort.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking a fifth consecutive term, adopted a markedly different campaign style. While the overall contest was intense and noisy, Kumar maintained a subdued but steady schedule of rallies and impromptu roadshows. His low-key approach suggested a reliance on governance credentials and long-term familiarity with the electorate. Weather-related challenges disrupted several of his plans, but he continued canvassing undeterred.

On the opposition side, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav—projected as the chief ministerial face of the INDIA bloc—led an energetic and visibly confident campaign. His speeches centered on unemployment, poverty, and the promise of large-scale job creation, themes that have resonated with youth across the state. Tejashwi’s popularity among younger voters and his ability to mobilize large crowds became a core strength for the opposition alliance throughout the campaign.

A distinct trend in this election was the rise of the Jan Suraaj Party led by political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor. Often described as the “X factor” of the Bihar polls, Kishor’s campaign contrasted sharply with the conventional mega-rally approach of major parties. He focused on door-to-door interactions and grassroots engagement, walking through villages and small towns to build rapport. Kishor also engaged in direct criticism of both national and regional leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. Questioning the efficacy of Gandhi’s appeal to Gen Z voters, he positioned his own outreach as more authentic and grounded.

The Congress, in a sharp attack on the ruling BJP-JD(U) government, alleged on Sunday that the alliance had “looted” Bihar for two decades through corruption and mismanagement. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, asserted that the people of Bihar were suffering the consequences of systemic “loot, negligence, and corruption.” He expressed confidence that the electorate would seek “liberation” from what the Congress termed a “trouble-engine government,” a rhetorical counter to the NDA’s “double-engine development” narrative.

As campaigning concludes, Bihar now enters a 48-hour silent period before voting resumes. With prominent leaders of all major parties having made their final pitches, the electoral battlefield stands charged with expectation. The second phase will determine the fate of key ministers, rising political figures, and emerging parties alike. Whether the NDA retains power, the INDIA bloc makes a decisive breakthrough, or new political actors reshape the balance, the November 14 results will mark a pivotal moment in Bihar’s political trajectory.