Bihar polls: BJP banks on vote split in Seemanchal region

NEW DELHI: As Bihar moves towards the crucial fifth and final phase of polling that may well decide the winner, BJP seems to be banking on a vote split along community lines to make inroads into the Seemanchal area.

Led by PM Modi, BJP leaders are repeatedly making references to the Grand Alliance’s alleged plotting to give away a share of quota meant for the backward castes and Dalits to minorities, a clear reference to Muslims.

Highest number of 57 assembly seats go to polls in the final phase on November 5, and they comprise 45.9% Muslim voters. Some Seemanchal districts such as Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar are dominated by Muslims.

In the run-up to the crucial final phase, BJP seems to have abandoned its development agenda and the “sabka saath, sabka vikas” slogan. Some party leaders privately admit that polarisation is their only chance in the last phase.

“It’s a do or die effort now,” a senior BJP leader told ET, explaining that the party does not seem to have covered the expected ground in the fourth phase of polling.