AMN /

Campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections in Bihar end Saturday evening. 49 constituencies spread over 10 districts will go to polls in this phase on 12th October Monday.

583 candidates including 54 women are in the fray.

Campaigning witnessed a galaxy of political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and JD(U) leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

During the campaign, Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies in different parts of the state and strongly advocated the need for development of the state.

On the other hand Senior JD(U) leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also focussed his speech around development of state and accused centre of step brotherly treatment.

RJD Chief LALU Prasad raised the issue of reservation and alleged Centre’s hidden agenda to end reservation.

Several union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Smriti Irani also addressed a series of meetings to woo voters.

The election campaign began with issues of development and good governance but other sensitive issues like beef eating took unpredictable turn when RJD leader Lalu Prasad and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in heated public debate.

The charged campaign for Bihar Assembly polls led the Election Commission to issue two advisories to restrain political leaders.