PATNA, Nov. 2 -- As the first phase of Bihar's high-stakes 2025 assembly elections looms just days away, star campaigners from the NDA and INDIA blocs turned up the heat with impassioned rallies across the state, braving inclement weather and trading barbs over governance, law and order, and unfulfilled promises. With voting set for November 6 and 11 across 243 seats, these campaigns underscored a polarized battle between "jungle raj" revival fears and aspirations for jobs, women's empowerment and industrial revival. Amit Shah's virtual addresses from Patna set the tone for the NDA's aggressive outreach, adapting swiftly to helicopter groundings caused by relentless rains that have disrupted schedules statewide. In Samastipur, the Union home minister apologised for his absence but didn't hold back, urging voters to reject the 15-year "jungle raj" of the opposition in favour of the NDA's proven governance track record. "For 20 years, Nitish babu, and since 11 years with PM Narendra Modi, we left no stone unturned for Bihar's development," Shah declared, likening the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular) and RLM to the five Pandavas united in battle. He mocked the Mahagathbandhan-comprising RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPM and VIP-as riddled with internal strife, where leaders squabble more among themselves than against the NDA. Shah also took aim at Congress's Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of shielding infiltrators through recent yatras and reaffirming the NDA's commitment to the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to weed them out. Highlighting cultural initiatives, he promised completion of the Rs 85 crore Punaura Dham project in Sitamarhi-the birthplace of Goddess Sita-within two years. Shifting to Gopalganj, the birthplace of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad, Shah's rhetoric sharpened, evoking local memories of alleged high-handedness by Lalu's brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav during the 1990s "jungle raj." Referencing infamous incidents like the 1999 car showroom raid during Misa Bharti's wedding and the Shilpi Jain murder case, Shah warned that an RJD return would unleash anarchy. "The people of Gopalganj haven't voted for RJD since 2002; keep that trend alive," he implored, listing massacre-plagued villages from the Naxal-landlord feud era as grim reminders. To counter opposition narratives, Shah spotlighted the NDA's freshly unveiled Sankalp Patra, reiterating Rs.2 lakh aid for Jeevika women self-help groups-following a recent Rs.10,000 transfer to 1.41 crore beneficiaries-and hiking annual farmer support from Rs.6,000 to Rs.9,000 for 27 lakh tillers. He pledged reopening all defunct sugar mills within five years, including three in the district alongside ethanol, rice, and dairy plants. Infrastructure wins, like the Rs.2,200 crore Dumaria Ghat-Patna expressway, Rs.340 crore Hathua LPG plant, and upcoming flight services at Sabeya airport, rounded out his pitch for a "developed Bihar" under Modi and Nitish. NDA allies amplified the offensive elsewhere. BJP president JP Nadda, addressing Siwan virtually, branded RJD's nomination of Shahabuddin's son as proof of their "jungle raj" revival intent, recounting kidnapping epidemics and extortion rackets under Lalu-Rabri rule. "RJD stands for Rangdari, Jungle Raj, and Dadagiri-don't vote for bail-jumpers like Lalu, Rabri, Tejashwi, or Misa," he cautioned, praising Modi-Nitish's growth trajectory. In Maner, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan unveiled the Sankalp Patra's roadmap, promising district-wise industries, a skills census, and mega training centers to make Bihar a "global skill hub." Jibing at Tejashwi's job vows as uncalculated fantasies, Paswan asserted public resolve for NDA's return, echoed by PM Modi's X post hailing the manifesto's focus on self-reliant Bihar. On the INDIA front, Tejashwi Yadav emerged as the bloc's energetic counterpunch, blending emotional family appeals with scathing critiques of NDA's law enforcement lapses. In Raghunathpur, Siwan-where RJD has fielded the son of late strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin-he spotlighted the October 30 murder of opposition leader Dularchand Yadav in Mokama, alleging the accused JD(U) nominee Anant Singh roams freely with an armed convoy despite named FIRs. "Murders in broad daylight, cash handouts of Rs.10,000 per voter-where is the Election Commission? Their law only applies to the opposition," thundered Yadav, vowing to "uproot" the NDA for shielding criminals. Earlier, addressing Goriakothi virtually due to weather woes, he promised a "new Bihar" with industries to curb migration, restoring education and health infrastructure neglected over 20 NDA years. "I'm young, but true to my word-jobs for every jobless household within 20 months," he assured, countering NDA's 1 crore job pledge as hollow. In a heartfelt Raghopur rally, Tejashwi campaigned alongside sisters Ragini and Rohini Acharya, who made emotional pleas for unity across castes to oust corruption and crime. The event dispelled family rift rumors, with Tejashwi urging voters to back INDIA for inclusive progress. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday mounted a sharp attack on the BJP and NDA bandwagon during an election rally in the Bahadurpur constituency of Darbhanga. Addressing the gathering in support of RJD candidate Bhola Yadav, Akhilesh described Nitish Kumar as a "poll groom", saying, "The one projected as the face of the election knows very well that this time he won't be garlanded. Even he knows he is not going to be the chief minister again." Accusing the BJP of political opportunism, Akhilesh termed it an "exploitative party" that "uses people and then ruins them." He framed the ongoing assembly polls as a contest between "employment and BJP." "On one hand, people are carrying baskets on their heads looking for work, while on the other, Tejashwi Yadav has promised them dignified jobs," he said. Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, a BJP campaigner, electrified Shahpur's Karnamepur High School ground, backing NDA's Rakesh Ranjan Ojha. "We must not let jungle raj return-under Modi-Nitish's double-engine, development flows like a river," he boomed, contrasting bicycle-era hardships with today's four-wheelers. As crowds danced to his hit "Hum Bihari Hai," Singh predicted an NDA landslide in Shahabad, urging women to vote the lotus for industries that end migration. Honoured by local leaders, he puffed Bihari pride, vowing prosperity under the Nitish regime. With rains scuttling chopper hops and forecasts gloomy, leaders leaned on virtual savvy and local surrogates, but the message was clear: Bihar's future hinges on rejecting anarchy for accountable progress. As November 6 dawns, the electorate-scarred by past divides yet hopeful for jobs and justice-holds the key. Results on November 14 could reshape the state's political map....