Bihar polls: Huge crowd at PM Narendra Modi's rallies in Samastipur, Begusarai

Seven rallies in three months starting July 25, and the crowds are still growing. PM Modi's four rallies Thursday saw mammoth crowds police at times struggled to control.Highways saw traffic jammed as the PM campaigned at Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Nawada.

Most wanted to watch Modi, but there were also those who came expecting to hear their neta Mahadalit Jitan Manjhi. And those who came to see the PM's helicopter. Young men made up most of the crowd chanting `Modi Modi' throughout the PM's 35-40 minute speeches.To each of his questions, the response was a gusty `yes' or `no'. They chanted Modi's barbs against the Nitish government. "The Centre and the new government in Patna will transform the state using the Rs 1.25 lakh crore package," said Anand Raj, a sociology student of Delhi University back home to vote on Monday . Added Ranjit Yadav: "Modi sabko fail kar dega".

At Nawada even the PM seemed surprised by the large number of women attending, commenting the turnout was four times his April 2014 rally.Bacchi Devi, a Mahadalit from village Madhobigha came with her family of nine, "to see and hear Manjhi". On realising Majhi wasn't there, she said, "Modi Manjhi ke party ke hain, unkawe sun lewe" (Modi belongs to Manjhi's party, I'll listen to him too)." Toddy tapper Batoran Ram, from village Akauna, applauded the PM: "Okra par hamra bharosa hai" (We trust him) while Daro Manjhi said he'd come to see the chopper and the PM, adding he was sad at Manjhi's absence.