Bihar elections: Owaisi hopeful of providing 'viable' option to people with UDSA alliance

With Bihar Assembly Elections nearing closer, AIMIM chief Assaduding Owaisi has affirmed that his party has formed a 'United Democratic Secular Alliance' (UDSA) with Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic. Owaisi has stated that people of Bihar are 'tired' of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He added that people want a 'viable option' which newly formed alliance will hopefully provide m. 

Flanked by ex-Union Minister and SJD(D) chief Devendra Prasad Yadav, Owaisi had anunced formation of alliance on September 19. Earlier, Hyderabad MP had also expressed hope that UDSA will t only defeat BJP-JD(U) ruling alliance but also teach a lesson to "secular parties" such as Congress. 

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While refusing to divulge details about seat-sharing formula, Owaisi came down heavily on RJD for accusing him of indirectly helping BJP. Citing results of Kishanganj Lok Sabha seat in 2019 where AIMIM candidate secured most number of votes after JD(U) and Congress, Owaisi opined that his party can't be dismissed as an insignificant player. In October 2019, AIMIM opened its account in Bihar Assembly after Qamrul Hoda defeated BJP's Sweety Singh by 10,211 votes. 

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Owaisi's alliance, t only faces ruling NDA but also Mahagathbandhan as well. On or hand, a third front has also been formed in state to contest upcoming elections. . alliance named 'Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA)', headed by  Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) includes Chandrashekhar Azad's Azad Samaj Party, MK Faizi's Social Democratic Party and Bahujan Mukti Party.  

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Bihar polls dates anunced

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora anunced that Bihar Assembly election will be held in 3 phases- October 28, vember 3 and vember 7. 71, 94 and 78 Assembly constituencies will go to polls in first phase, second phase and third phase respectively. counting of votes will take place on vember 10.

More than 7 lakh units of hand sanitizers, about 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 7.6 lakhs face kits, and 23 lakh hand gloves have been arranged. Furrmore, 7.2 crore single-use hand gloves have been specifically allocated for voters. To decongest polling stations, voting time has been increased by one hour. Thus, people will be able to cast ir votes from 7 am to 6 pm barring for areas affected by Left-wing extremism. 

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