Patna, November 1, 2025: With Bihar’s high-stakes assembly elections just days away, political tensions escalated on Saturday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed parallel rallies in different parts of the state, sharpening the contrast between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, also known as the INDIA bloc. The dual campaigns highlighted the starkly polarized narratives being presented to voters, with the ruling coalition emphasizing development and law and order, while the opposition focused on governance deficits and promises of employment.

Due to inclement weather, Amit Shah addressed supporters virtually in Gopalganj, Samastipur, and Vaishali districts, using technology to circumvent the disruption of his traditional rally schedule. In his addresses, Shah attacked the opposition, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), labelling it as a party responsible for bringing back “jungle raj” in Bihar—a reference to the lawlessness and misgovernance allegedly witnessed under the previous RJD-led regimes.

Shah urged voters to see the assembly election as a defining moment for the state’s future, framing the contest as a clear choice between development under the NDA’s “Modi-Nitish combine” and regression under the opposition. “On one hand are those who had ushered in ‘jungle raj’. On the other hand is the duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who have brought development,” he said, highlighting the NDA’s two-decade track record in governance and infrastructure projects.

During his virtual rally in Samastipur, Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of attempting to protect “infiltrators” through his Voter Adhikar Yatra. He underscored the government’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls, asserting that all non-citizens would be identified and removed. “Let Rahul Gandhi take out as many yatras as he pleases. Each and every infiltrator will be driven out of the country. The SIR was aimed at that, and we welcome the Election Commission’s decision to carry out the exercise across the country,” Shah stated, tying the narrative of electoral integrity to the NDA’s campaign messaging.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was in Begusarai, articulating a sharply critical perspective of the ruling government. She questioned the effectiveness of the so-called “double-engine” NDA government, claiming it was in practice a single-engine system controlled from the Centre, rather than genuinely responsive to Bihar’s populace. “This government is being run from the Centre…So this double engine is actually a single engine. There is no double engine. You have seen it in other states that suddenly a Chief Minister comes, of whom no one has ever heard…You are not even able to say who will become the CM,” she said, emphasizing the lack of local accountability in governance.

Priyanka Gandhi also directly challenged the NDA on employment issues, criticizing promises of “one crore jobs” as hollow. She asked voters to consider why the NDA had failed to create meaningful employment opportunities over the past two decades despite holding office. She accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of spending much of their time blaming past Congress governments, specifically Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, for Bihar’s present challenges, instead of implementing concrete development programs.

The stark contrast between the rallies captured the polarized atmosphere leading up to the polls. The NDA focused on narratives of stability, governance, and the perils of returning to RJD-led rule, invoking past incidents of alleged lawlessness and disorder to bolster its argument. The Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav along with Congress and left-leaning allies, emphasized unemployment, industrial stagnation, women’s empowerment, and alleged mismanagement under the NDA’s 15-year rule in Bihar.

Amit Shah’s virtual addresses highlighted ongoing development projects and social welfare initiatives to reinforce the NDA’s achievements. He recounted infrastructure and employment-oriented programs, positioning the NDA as the guarantor of law, order, and economic growth in contrast to the chaos he attributed to the RJD-led bloc. Shah’s remarks were also designed to galvanize the party’s cadre and reassure voters that the NDA would maintain its grip on governance despite opposition challenges.

On the opposition side, Priyanka Gandhi and her colleagues emphasized inclusivity and regional responsiveness. By highlighting the purported disconnect between Bihar’s local administration and the central government, Gandhi sought to portray the Congress-led INDIA bloc as more in tune with the aspirations and grievances of ordinary citizens. Her campaign messaging focused on local development, employment generation, and equitable governance, aiming to sway undecided voters and consolidate support among marginalized communities, youth, and women.

The assembly elections are set to take place in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—across 243 constituencies in Bihar. The results are scheduled to be declared on November 14, 2025, a date that will determine whether the NDA retains its long-standing dominance in the state or whether the Mahagathbandhan succeeds in presenting a viable alternative.

Political analysts note that the parallel rallies underscore the intensifying nature of electoral campaigning in Bihar, where both national and regional leaders are leveraging narratives of governance, law and order, and employment to influence voter sentiment. The use of virtual platforms, as demonstrated by Shah, is also indicative of the evolving strategies parties are employing in response to logistical challenges and unpredictable weather conditions, ensuring that campaign messaging reaches a broad electorate despite physical limitations.

The rivalry between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan reflects a broader struggle over Bihar’s political and socio-economic direction. While the NDA emphasizes continuity, infrastructure, and law enforcement, the opposition has sought to frame the election as a referendum on the NDA’s track record in addressing unemployment, industrial growth, and women’s empowerment. Both sides are attempting to consolidate voter bases through targeted rhetoric: Shah invoking fear of returning “jungle raj” and Gandhi highlighting the lack of local accountability and unmet promises of jobs and development.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, both camps are mobilizing resources, deploying leaders across constituencies, and seeking to amplify their core narratives through rallies, media appearances, and social media engagement. Observers suggest that voter turnout, regional issues, and perceptions of law and order will play a critical role in determining the outcome, given the high stakes for both alliances.

In conclusion, the parallel rallies of Amit Shah and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday highlight the contrasting visions being presented to Bihar’s electorate. The NDA projects stability, governance, and a continuation of development initiatives under Modi and Nitish Kumar, warning against a revival of “jungle raj.” Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan positions itself as a responsive alternative, emphasizing local accountability, employment, and inclusive governance. With the election scheduled for early November and results on the horizon, Bihar stands at a political crossroads, with voter decisions likely to shape the state’s trajectory for years to come.