Polling in 55 constituencies in the fourth phase of Bihar elections is to be held on 1st November. It is widely believed that caste factor will play a crucial role to seal the fate of all political parties and their candidates.
- 55 seats spread across seven districts of Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj and Siwan.
- 1,46,93,294 electorates
- 14,139 polling stations
- 776 candidates of which 57 are women.
In 2010 Assembly polls, BJP had won 26. Its then ally JD(U) in 24.
RJD had won 2 seats and Independents 3.
But the scenario has changed this time. From the grand secular alliance camp, RJD has now fielded candidates in 26 constituencies followed by JD(U) in 21 and Congress 8.
NDA -- BJP has fielded its nominees in 42 seats, LJP in 5 and Hindustanti Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) in 4 seats each.
The fourth phase saw high voltage campaigning with both BJP-led NDA and JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance accusing each other of trying to polarise voters on communal lines.
"If BJP loses Bihar elections even by chance, though victory or defeat will happen in Patna, there will be bursting of firecrackers in Pakistan," BJP chief Amit Shah had said at a rally at Raxual in East Champaran district on Thursday, three days before the fourth phase polling.
Rivals JD(U), Congress and RJD saw the comment as an attempt to communalise voters for the next two rounds on 112 seats and approached the Election Commission.
Acting on the complaint, the state Election Office has sought report from District Magistrate of East Champaran and West Champaran on the remark.
Mr Lalu Prasad slammed Mr Shah linking the controversy with the pride of the state alleging the remark was an affront on the citizens of Bihar particularly backwards, EBCs, Dalits and minorities who are "firmly rooting" for 'Grand Alliance'.