The Congress Sunday released a list of star campaigners for the first phase of Bihar elections, including the likes of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru’s name featured at number 12 on the list, ahead of some senior leaders, which surprised some. On Sunday, the party also prepared a list of “favourable” constituencies where Gandhi could campaign for the first phase. While the BJP top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, has been campaigning in Bihar over the last few days, Gandhi is yet to begin his campaign, making Congress candidates anxious.

New Office

The Delhi BJP on Sunday chose the occasion of ‘Kharna’, part of the four-day Chhath Puja, to hold the first official press conference at the new state unit office on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg — a few hundred meters from the national headquarters. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva addressed the conference. Over the following days, more operations are expected to shift to the new office from the old Delhi BJP headquarters on Pandit Pant Marg. The new office had, so far, opened its doors for the inauguration by PM Narendra Modi late last month followed by a dandiya event during Navratri.