Bihar to see BJP and Grand Alliance show of strength on February 25

Bihar is gearing up for a show of strength by the BJP and the state's ruling alliance, as they prepare for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address two public meetings in Valmikinagar and Patna on February 25. The BJP had identified 10 weak Lok Sabha seats for the party in Bihar and Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda have divided these seats equally among themselves for more focus on party activities.

Shah will visit the Valmikinagar Lok Sabha constituency while Nadda had recently visited Vaishali. This would be Shah's fourth trip to Bihar since the BJP and Janata Dal (U) ended their partnership and the JD(U) formed the Grand Alliance in the state last year. Later in the day, Shah would address a Kisan Madoor Samagam at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna.


"This (Kisan Madoor Samagam) is a programme in the honour of Swami Sahjanand Saraswati, who was one of the top farmer leaders of the country. Unfortunately, he hasn't got his due in the current (state) government," Vivek Thakur, a senior BJP leader and an organiser of the event, told ET. "Farmers from across the state will be attending to share their plight with the home minister."

Through this meeting, the BJP is also trying to regain its hold on the Bhumihar community - Swami Sahjanand Saraswati is revered among the community. In recent bypolls, the party believes it had lost a section of this community's votes.

On the other hand, the Grand Alliance led by chief minister Nitish Kumar is going to hold its first mega rally at Purnia on February 25. "We haven't held a joint rally since we came into power in August last year. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is busy with his Samadhan Yatra while Lalu Ji was unwell. Congress leaders were busy with Bharat Jodo Yatra. In between, BJP got a chance to spread rumours about our alliance," senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told ET.