This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/12/bihar-elections-set-to-test-indian-leader-narendra-modi

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bihar elections set to test Indian leader Narendra Modi Bihar elections set to test Indian leader Narendra Modi
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined up at polling stations in the east Indian state of Bihar for elections which are being seen as a referendum of Narendra Modi’s popularity. Hundreds of thousands of people have lined up at polling stations in the east Indian state of Bihar for elections that are being seen as a referendum measuring Narendra Modi’s popularity.
The elections are being held in 49 constituencies in the first of five phases of voting for the state’s legislative assembly. More than 13.5 million people will vote at nearly 13,000 polling stations across the state in the first phase.The elections are being held in 49 constituencies in the first of five phases of voting for the state’s legislative assembly. More than 13.5 million people will vote at nearly 13,000 polling stations across the state in the first phase.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party is facing a “grand coalition” of two former chief ministers, including the incumbent, Nitish Kumar.Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party is facing a “grand coalition” of two former chief ministers, including the incumbent, Nitish Kumar.
The outcome in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, is being seen as a test for the prime minister, who, as his party’s chief campaigner, addressed several election rallies and political meetings across the state. Analysts say a victory for Modi’s party would signal approval of its attempts to push its brand of Hindu rightwing politics. The outcome in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, is being seen as a test for the prime minister, who, as his party’s chief campaigner, addressed election rallies and political meetings across the state. Analysts say a victory for Modi’s party would signal approval of its attempts to push its brand of Hindu rightwing politics.
The last phase of voting is on 5 November, with results due to be announced three days later.The last phase of voting is on 5 November, with results due to be announced three days later.
Five of the 10 state districts where the polling is taking place are facing threats from Maoist rebels. Five of the 10 state districts where polling is taking place are facing threats from Maoist rebels.
Security was tight on Monday, with thousands of paramilitary soldiers deployed to maintain order outside the polling stations. For the first time, authorities used drones to monitor remote stations. Security was tight on Monday, with thousands of paramilitary soldiers deployed to maintain order outside polling stations. For the first time, authorities used drones to monitor remote stations.
Early polling was peaceful, R Lakshmanan, a state electoral officer, said in Bihar’s capital, Patna.Early polling was peaceful, R Lakshmanan, a state electoral officer, said in Bihar’s capital, Patna.
The rebels, who say they are inspired by the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting for more than four decades in central and eastern India, staging hit-and-run attacks against authorities as they demand a greater share of wealth from the area’s natural resources and more jobs for farmers and the poor.The rebels, who say they are inspired by the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting for more than four decades in central and eastern India, staging hit-and-run attacks against authorities as they demand a greater share of wealth from the area’s natural resources and more jobs for farmers and the poor.
They often attack security forces and government officials and disrupt elections, which they see as an attempt to perpetuate existing inequalities.They often attack security forces and government officials and disrupt elections, which they see as an attempt to perpetuate existing inequalities.