Bihar polls: 50 % turnout; Lalu-Rabri booked

Around 50 percent polling was reported in the fourth phase of election in Bihar on Monday, marked by a Maoist landmine blast in one district and lodging of police complaint against former chief minister Lalu Prasad and his wife for violating model code of conduct.

“The polling was 50 percent and by and large peaceful,” a senior official told IBNS as the fourth of the six-phase polling in Bihar ended under heavy security arrangements.

In the fourth phase, half of the total 10 million voters spread over 42 Assembly constituencies cast their ballots. There was also a by-poll for Banka Lok Sabha seat.

However, the election witnessed some drama over Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi (both former CMs) allegedly violating the model code of conduct at Bihar Veterinary College polling station under Digha assembly constituency by entering the booth with security personnel.

The Election Commission lodged two FIRs against them in the Airport police station.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dubbed Lalu a habitual lawbreaker after the incident.

Earlier in th day, Maoists triggered a land mine blast to scare away voters in Jamui district.
Director General of Police Neelmani said the extremists had detonated the land mine near a bridge on the Chakai-Jamui main road in Betia jungle and lobbed four powerful bombs near booth No.56 and 57 at Danapur, but there had been no report of casualty in any of the incidents.

The ultras made quick retreat immediately after the security forces rushed to the scene of crime.

Technical sang in electronic voting machines was reported from some booths in Bhagalpur and Banka districts.

But they were either replaced or mended by the election officials.

Altogether 568 candidates, including 58 women, are contesting the polls being held in eight districts.
By-election was held simultaneously for the Banka Lok Sabha seat for which independent aspirant Putul Singh, widow of former Union Minister Digvijay Singh, was pitted against former Central Minister Jayprakash Narayan Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Digvijay Singh.

The DGP said barring some stray incidents the polling had been peaceful with a multi-tier security arrangement involving Special Task Force being in place.

Borders with Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were sealed and ground and air surveillance was intensified to prevent disturbances during the poll, he said.

While Janata Dal-United was fighting for 25 seats in this phase, its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in fray in the remaining 17.

Main Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had fielded 26 candidates and its electoral partner Lokshakti Janata Party (LJP) fought in 16.

Prominent contestants include BJP Ministers Ashwini Kumar Choubey (Bhagalpur), Nand Kishore Yadav (Patna Sahib), Ramnarayan Mandal (Banka), besides JD(U) Minister Damodar Raut.

IAS officer Afzal Amanullah’s wife Parveen Amanullah also contested on a JD(U) ticket from Sahebpur Kamal while LJP president Ramvilas Paswan’s brother and state party president Pashupati Kumar Paras tried his luck from Alauli.

Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly and RJD nominee Shakuni Choudhary contested from Tarapur.