High alert in Bihar after Delhi Red Fort blast; polling begins for second phase of assembly elections

Polling began in the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar, where 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates across 122 constituencies on Tuesday. 

 

High alert has been sounded across the state in the wake of a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, in which at least eight people were killed on Monday evening.

 

"All district police and several other wings of the Bihar Police have been directed to maintain a close watch and extraordinary vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements by intensifying area domination patrolling and search operations," Director General of Police Vinay Kumar said.

 

Security has also been heightened at the Vidhan Sabha building, Legislative Council building, Raj Bhavan, CM's residence, Secretariat, metro stations, railway stations, Patna High Court, district courts, and at other sensitive places. 

 

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in sensitive and vulnerable booths. Several points along the India-Nepal border have been sealed to prevent any cross-border movement that could disrupt the electoral process.

 

The second phase will decide the electoral fate of twelve ministers in the Nitish Kumar cabinet—six each from the JD(U) and the BJP.

 

The JD(U) ministers in the fray are Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).

 

Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). 

 

In the first phase, 121 constituencies went to the polls on November 6, with a record voter turnout of 64.66 per cent. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.

 

India