STATE OF AFFAIRS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Ongoing men's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Rajgir a constant reminder of what time this is in region of Bihar - election season

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IN this historical town, named thus as it served as the first capital of the Magadha Empire, it's impossible to walk 25m without being reminded of the chief minister. Nitish Kumar is on electric poles, he's on billboards, he's on walls overlooking intersections, he's on balloons... he's also on the side of the buses ferrying the eight Asia Cup teams between the venue and the team hotels. It's very much election season in Bihar and you are reminded of it whether you seek it or not. On the front pages of the newspapers, there's multiple pieces on the state election (it's expected to go to the polls across phases in October and November). The morning news on the radio had tidbits about it.

The cabbie at Patna airport spoke about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of the polls.

And, slap bang in the middle of it all, is the Asia Cup, with one World Cup spot up for grabs.