PATNA, Nov. 1 -- As Bihar inches closer to the first phase of assembly elections on November 6, relentless drizzling and heavy showers, remnants of cyclone Montha, have thrown a wrench into the high-octane campaigning by both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. What was slated to be a frenzy of public rallies across the state turned into a day of improvisations, with star campaigners cutting short appearances, opting for virtual addresses or scrapping events altogether to avoid the downpour. The weather, marked by intermittent drizzle throughout the day and heavier spells since late Thursday night, not only soaked potential turnout but also grounded helicopters and flooded rally grounds. Political analysts called it a "climatic curveball", providing unintended relief to fatigued voters while testing the adaptability of party machinery. CM Nitish Kumar, NDA's leader for the poll, had a packed itinerary across multiple constituencies but was forced to abandon his chopper for a gruelling road journey. Sources close to the JD(U) chief said he addressed a string of meetings in Nalanda and Patna districts via convoy, braving slippery roads and low visibility. "The CM's team prioritised safety, but the message of development couldn't be stopped," a party spokesperson noted, emphasising Nitish's focus on infrastructure promises from the freshly released NDA manifesto. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, a key NDA campaigner, managed only one event - a rally in Lalganj - where he unleashed a scathing attack on the opposition's "jungle raj" legacy. Scheduled for additional stops in Siwan and nearby areas, Yogi's tour was curtailed due to worsening conditions, with party workers scrambling to shift supporters indoors. BJP national president JP Nadda, meanwhile, stuck to indoor engagements, headlining the NDA's manifesto launch in Patna alongside Nitish and allies like LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan. The event, held at a convention hall to dodge the rain, drew cheers for pledges like one crore government jobs and enhanced women's schemes but lacked the outdoor pomp typical of such releases. Nadda later addressed a virtual workers' meet, underscoring the party's resolve despite the "unseasonal setback." Other NDA heavyweights dy CM Samrat Chaudhary scrapped rallies in Vaishali, citing flooded venues, while BJP MP Manoj Tiwari pulled out of Bhojpur events, opting for social media outreach instead. Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi managed a brief roadshow in Gaya before calling it quits. The opposition wasn't spared either. RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Mahagathbandhan's CM face, addressed a key public meeting in Muzaffarpur via video conference from Patna, citing safety concerns amid the drizzle. Flanked by digital banners promising one million jobs and free electricity, Tejashwi mocked the NDA's manifesto as a "copy-paste job" and urged voters to "vote out the rain of unfulfilled promises." His virtual format, while innovative, drew criticism from rivals for lacking personal connect, though RJD hailed it as a "smart tech play." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had ramped up joint rallies with Tejashwi earlier in the week, postponed a Darbhanga event, rescheduling for Saturday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's planned outreach in Begusarai was similarly deferred, with the party leaning on local leaders to hold micro-meetings under tents. The inclement weather rippled beyond top brass. At least a dozen rallies by mid-tier leaders - including RJD's Misa Bharti in Pataliputra and BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad in Patna Sahib - were either downsized or ditched, per Election Commission of India logs. In rural pockets like Begusarai and Nalanda, muddy access roads stranded convoys, turning potential spectacles into soggy huddles. On X, the hashtag #BiharRainRally trended with over 5,000 posts, blending memes of "electoral cyclones" with public sighs of relief. "Finally, some peace from the echo chamber of speeches," tweeted a Patna resident, echoing sentiments from a survey where 62% of respondents welcomed the "campaign breather." Meteorologists forecast more showers through the weekend. The Election Commission has urged parties to prioritise virtual and indoor alternatives, assuring vigilant monitoring of model code violations. As the NDA and Mahagathbandhan eye the November 4 campaign deadline, Friday's washout underscores Bihar's unpredictable electoral theatre - where monsoons, manifestos, and mudslides all vie for the spotlight. With results due on November 14, leaders are already recalibrating: more roads, more screens, less sky....