PATNA, Oct. 29 -- As Bihar braces for a high-voltage electoral showdown with the first phase of polling on November 6 covering 121 constituencies, both the Opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are unleashing star-studded campaigns to woo voters in a diverse mix of western and northern seats dominated by SCs, EBCs and Yadavs. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav kick off joint rallies on Wednesday to project unity amid seat-sharing "friendly fights" and consolidate secular votes, the NDA counters with a high-octane blitz starting the same day featuring Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, MP CM Mohan Yadav and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta addressing multiple rallies statewide, capped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Patna on November 2. The events, timed a day after the launch of the alliance's common manifesto, signal an effort to project unity against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by chief minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The rallies will take place in Sakra assembly constituency in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga, both key battlegrounds falling under the first phase of polling on November 6, which covers 121 constituencies across western and northern Bihar. This phase is critical, encompassing a diverse mix of castes and communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), and Yadavs, where the MGB hopes to leverage its social engineering formula to challenge the NDA's dominance. The joint appearances come at an important moment for the MGB, a coalition comprising the RJD, Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML), Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and other left parties. With Tejashwi Yadav, officially named as the alliance's chief ministerial face last week, the rallies aim to consolidate "secular and progressive votes" in the face of internal discord over seat-sharing. Despite claims of harmony from senior leaders like Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot, who recently mediated in Patna, disputes persist over 5-10 seats, leading to "friendly fights" where alliance partners are contesting against each other. In Sakra (SC) seat, Congress nominee Umesh Ram faces a direct challenge from JD(U)'s Aditya Kumar, son of sitting MLA and state minister Ashok Chaudhary. The rally here, featuring CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and VIP chief Mukesh Sahni alongside Rahul Gandhi, underscores the alliance's attempt to bridge ideological and caste divides. Sahni, a prominent Nishad community leader, is positioned as a potential deputy chief minister if the coalition wins, highlighting the Mahagathbandhan's focus on EBC and Dalit outreach. Similarly, in Darbhanga, RJD's Lalit Rai is contesting from Darbhanga Rural against the JD(U) nominee Ishwar Manda, amid lingering confusion in the district over seat adjustments. Nearby Gaura Bauram has emerged as a flashpoint, where RJD's Afzal Ali Khan is running independently with the party symbol despite alliance support shifting to VIP's Santosh Sahni, forcing Tejashwi Yadav into an awkward campaign against his own party's rebel candidate. Such overlaps risk splitting anti-NDA votes, a concern echoed by analysts who note the alliance's 2020 near-miss, where it fell short by just 1.6% vote share despite winning 110 seats in a hung assembly. Adding firepower to the Congress's Bihar push, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is slated to launch her campaign on November 1, addressing rallies in Bachhwara (Begusarai) and Sonbarsa (Saharsa). Her revised itinerary, postponed from an earlier October 28 slot to accommodate the Chhath Puja festivities, will spotlight Congress nominees Shiv Prakash Garib Das in Bachhwara and Sarita Devi in Sonbarsa (SC). Both seats are in the first phase and represent strongholds for backward and Dalit voters, where Priyanka's star power could sway undecided and disillusioned by the alliance's infighting....