Modi, Rahul brace for face-off on poll grounds

As the Bihar assembly elections draw near, the state has turned into a battleground for country’s two leading political faces— Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders have made multiple visits to Bihar this year, intensifying efforts to woo voters ahead of the polls.

- Sanjeev K Jha

While Modi has visited Bihar seven times since April so far, Gandhi has made eight visits, underscoring the state's centrality in national politics. If the state NDA leaders are to be believed, Modi is likely to hold at least a dozen election rallies in Bihar after the completion of the nomination process.

A senior BJP leader, who wished not to be named, said the state BJP working committee has identified sites for PM's rallies in at least one place in each division, such as Magadh, Shahabad, Kosi, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Patna.