PATNA: BJP and JD(U), two key NDA partners in Bihar, have differed on the upcoming assembly election schedule. While BJP has urged the Election Commission (EC) to conduct polling in a maximum of two phases to reduce expenditure and disruption, JD(U) has called for a single phase, citing the good law and order situation in the state and the return of Bihar migrants during the Chhath festival, which could boost voter participation.A majority of frontline political parties in Bihar on Saturday suggested the EC to hold the assembly elections in a maximum of two phases, saying that minimal phases would be less tiring and reduce election-related costs.The suggestions came during an interaction with the full team of the Election Commission, comprising chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, at a hotel here. The team arrived Friday night for a two-day visit to review preparations for the elections and oversee the implementation of electoral measures. The EC is expected to announce election dates after returning from Patna.While parties such as BJP, RJD, CPI-ML and LJP (Ram Vilas) favoured a maximum of two phases, the JD(U), led by CM Nitish Kumar, proposed a single phase, citing no law and order issues and stressing voter participation. They highlighted that many Bihar migrants return home for Chhath and their involvement could be crucial.“We have suggested conducting elections in a single phase since the law and order situation in Bihar is good. Naxalism is also not an issue in the state. If elections can be held in a single phase in Maharashtra, why not in Bihar?” JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha told reporters. He also recommended holding elections around Chhath and advised the EC to ensure adequate paramilitary deployment at sensitive polling booths.The BJP argued for a maximum of two phases. “The elections should be completed in a maximum of two phases since conducting this task in multiple phases increases poll expenditure and also affects development works,” state BJP president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said. He also demanded proper checking of identity for burqa-clad women voters and sufficient deployment of security forces to ensure full participation.RJD called for two-phase polling but sought video recording of postal ballot counting and action against officials favouring any party. “But what is serious is that the Bihar govt is crediting money to the bank accounts of women and farmers ahead of the announcement of polls, which is equivalent to bribing the voters. The EC must instantly take cognizance and initiate action,” RJD leader Chitranjan Gagan said. He also asked for details of 21.53 lakh new voters added to the list.“We demanded that the polling should be conducted in minimal phases, but at the same time, adequate deployment of security forces be made for free and fair elections,” LJP (RV) spokesperson Rajesh Bhatt said, adding the EC should provide potable water and toilet facilities at polling booths for female voters.The Congress said the number of phases was immaterial. “What matters is transparency during the voting process,” national spokesperson Abhay Dubey said, requesting details of 21 lakh new voters, as well as dead voters and women removed from the list.CPI-ML also supported two-phase polling but urged sufficient security deployment in booths dominated by Dalits, OBCs, extremely backward classes and weaker sections. “Conducting polling in multiple phases allows the ruling parties to transport fake voters to their destination centres. So polling must be held in a maximum of two phases only,” party functionary Kumar Pervez said.The EC team is in Patna for two days to assess poll preparedness. The term of the 243-member Bihar assembly ends on Nov 22. The last assembly elections in 2020 were held in three phases under Covid restrictions while 2015 and 2010, polls were held in five and six phases, respectively.
