As Bihar’s high-stakes assembly election enters its final stretch, political temperatures in the state have reached a boiling point, with fiery exchanges and impassioned rallies defining the campaign narrative. Union home minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra became the day’s central figures, embodying two sharply contrasting visions for Bihar’s future. Shah invoked mythological imagery to depict the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as a united, virtuous force reminiscent of the Pandavas, while Vadra accused the NDA of weaving “fake propaganda” detached from the harsh realities confronting the people of Bihar. The two narratives—one anchored in unity and development, the other in accountability and social justice—set the stage for a deeply polarised contest.

Addressing virtual rallies in Samastipur and Gopalganj, Amit Shah unleashed a blistering attack on the opposition, describing the RJD-Congress-led INDIA bloc as the “Mahathugbandhan,” a coalition he said was defined by deceit, internal discord, and opportunism. In contrast, Shah presented the NDA—comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM)—as “the five Pandavas united in battle.” The analogy was designed to evoke the moral unity of the Mahabharata’s legendary warriors, fighting for truth and justice, while portraying the opposition as an unprincipled alliance bound only by greed for power.

“For 20 years, Nitish Babu and for 11 years alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have left no stone unturned for Bihar’s development,” Shah declared, highlighting the NDA’s record in infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and welfare programs. He urged voters to reject the return of what he termed the “15-year jungle raj,” a reference to the RJD governments under Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. The phrase “jungle raj” has long been a BJP talking point, symbolizing lawlessness, corruption, and economic stagnation in Bihar during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Shah’s rhetoric was sharpest in Gopalganj, the political home turf of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad. There, he evoked memories of the region’s violent past, referencing incidents such as the 1999 car showroom raid during Misa Bharti’s wedding and the Shilpi Jain murder case—symbols, he said, of RJD’s “era of fear.” He warned the crowd, “The people of Gopalganj haven’t voted for RJD since 2002. Keep that trend alive.” His speech carried a mixture of nostalgia and forewarning, contrasting the “anarchy of the past” with the “double-engine government” of Modi and Nitish Kumar, which, he said, had brought stability and progress to Bihar.

To counter opposition attacks, Shah spotlighted the NDA’s freshly released manifesto, or Sankalp Patra, as a vision for a “self-reliant Bihar.” He promised financial empowerment for women through ₹2 lakh aid for Jeevika self-help groups, an increase in annual farmer support from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 for 27 lakh tillers, and the reopening of all defunct sugar mills within five years. He also cited major infrastructure projects such as the ₹2,200 crore Dumaria Ghat–Patna expressway and the ₹340 crore LPG plant at Hathua as tangible proof of development under the NDA regime. In Sitamarhi, he pledged to complete the ₹85 crore Punaura Dham project, the birthplace of Goddess Sita, within two years—underscoring the cultural dimension of the alliance’s campaign.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra fired back with a scathing critique of the NDA’s manifesto during her rally in Begusarai’s Bachhwara constituency. Braving rain and logistical challenges caused by cyclone disruptions, Vadra reached the venue by road from Patna and delivered a spirited address that framed the election as a battle between truth and illusion. Calling the NDA’s promises “fake propaganda,” she accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of betraying Bihar’s people for over a decade. “BJP leaders drone on about the past or future, ignoring the present miseries of Bihar’s people,” she said, questioning the credibility of the NDA’s pledge to create 1.5 crore jobs when, according to her, its previous tallies had fallen short.

Vadra’s speech blended emotional appeal with political critique. She invoked Bihar’s proud history and the legacy of the freedom movement, reminding the crowd that the state had once been the crucible of India’s independence struggle under Mahatma Gandhi. “This land of yours walks alongside Mother Ganga; it’s sacred,” she said. “From this very land, Gandhiji began his movement against British rule. Yet today, this land has been pushed into poverty, unemployment, and migration.” She described the Constitution as the ultimate gift of that struggle, granting citizens rights, dignity, and above all, the power of the vote—a reminder, she said, of the need to protect democracy from manipulation and deception.

Priyanka’s speech also emphasized women’s empowerment, youth employment, and social justice—key pillars of the INDIA bloc’s campaign. She voiced support for RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s promise of “one government job per household within 20 months,” arguing that the NDA’s development narrative had failed to translate into real opportunities. Her rally drew large crowds despite inclement weather, reflecting a growing enthusiasm among Congress workers and INDIA bloc supporters in eastern Bihar.

Tejashwi Yadav, the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate, meanwhile, kept up his campaign blitz, addressing rallies in Siwan, Raghunathpur, and Raghopur. In his speeches, Yadav accused the NDA of presiding over a collapse in law and order, citing the murder of opposition leader Dularchand Yadav in Mokama and alleging that JD(U) candidate Anant Singh, named in the FIR, continued to roam freely with armed convoys. “Murders in broad daylight, cash handouts of ₹10,000 per voter—where is the Election Commission?” he thundered. Promising to “uproot the NDA,” he positioned himself as the voice of youth, vowing to restore education, healthcare, and employment. “I’m young but true to my word—jobs for every jobless household within 20 months,” he declared, branding the NDA’s job promise “hollow and recycled.”

Flanked by his sisters Ragini and Rohini Acharya at a massive rally in Raghopur, Tejashwi projected unity within the Yadav family amid speculation of internal rifts. The sisters made emotional appeals for inclusivity across caste lines, portraying the INDIA bloc as a movement for justice and progress. Their presence, coupled with Tejashwi’s populist message, energized the crowd, marking one of the INDIA bloc’s most high-voltage campaign days.

Elsewhere, Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav added his voice to the INDIA chorus during a rally in Darbhanga. Campaigning for RJD’s Bhola Yadav, he likened Nitish Kumar to a “poll groom,” saying, “The one projected as the face of the election knows very well that this time he won’t be garlanded.” Accusing the BJP of political opportunism, he called it an “exploitative party that uses people and then ruins them,” and framed the Bihar polls as a contest between “employment and BJP.” In a biting line, he said, “Those who talk about migration should first answer why people are forced to leave Bihar. It is because of the BJP’s policies. But this time, the people will ensure the BJP itself migrates out of the state.”

The BJP’s star campaigners also turned up the heat. Party president JP Nadda, addressing Siwan virtually, accused the RJD of trying to revive “jungle raj” by nominating Shahabuddin’s son, and urged voters not to “vote for bail-jumpers like Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, or Misa.” Chirag Paswan, leading the LJP (Ram Vilas), unveiled the NDA’s Sankalp Patraroadmap, promising district-level industrialization, skill training hubs, and a “skills census” to make Bihar a “global skill hub.” Taking aim at Tejashwi’s job promise, he called it “uncalculated fantasy” and hailed the NDA’s commitment to self-reliance and modernization.

In Shahpur’s Karnamepur, Bhojpuri star and BJP campaigner Pawan Singh electrified the crowd with his trademark enthusiasm, declaring, “We must not let jungle raj return—under Modi-Nitish’s double-engine, development flows like a river.” His performance drew large crowds dancing to his hit songs, blending cultural pride with political fervor.

As heavy rains grounded helicopters and forced virtual campaigning, both alliances adapted with digital outreach and local surrogates, but their messages were clear and contrasting. The NDA appealed for continuity, order, and progress under Modi and Nitish, while the INDIA bloc urged change, jobs, and justice. With voting scheduled for November 6 and 11 across 243 seats, Bihar stands at a crossroads—torn between memories of instability and aspirations for renewal. The results on November 14 will not only determine the state’s next government but could also signal the broader trajectory of national politics as India moves toward 2026.