LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan (extreme right) with CPI leader D Raja while campaigning in Nalanda on Friday. (PTI)

Patna, Nov. 5: The state administration has exuded confidence over ensuring trouble-free polling in Nalanda and Bhagalpur Lok Sabha constituencies tomorrow, an exercise seen as a crucial test for the Nitish Kumar government as well as RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Lalu has challenged the usual NDA-versus-UPA contest by fielding an RJD nominee in Bhagalpur and backing an Independent in Nalanda, more so because the Left parties, supported by the Congress and the Lok Janshakti Party, have given separate candidates in both places.

The bypolls are significant for the ruling NDA because while Nalanda fell vacant after Nitish’s election to the chief minister’s chair, his deputy in the corridors of power in the state Sushil Kumar Modi represented Bhagalpur in the Lok Sabha. These are the first elections in the state with the Nitish regime about to complete its first year.

JD(U) MLA Ram Swarup Prasad is the NDA’s nominee from Nalanda and he is pitted against RJD-supported Independent Arun Kumar, who is a rebel from the JD(U), CPI’s Gaya Singh and CPI(ML)’s Rameshwar Prasad.

In Bhagalpur, the BJP has fielded former Union minister Shahnawaz Hussain, who is locked in a tripartite contest with the RJD’s Shakuni Chaudhary and the CPM’s Subodh Rai, a former MP.

While the Congress has refrained from speaking out against Lalu’s move, LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan and senior Left politicians have strongly criticised him for ignoring the “principle” of UPA’s unity.

The RJD chief has, however, ignored the criticism and claimed that the nominees supported by him would emerge victorious. “The candidates should be in a position to win. The results will make this clear,” he said.

Lalu has also projected the elections as a mandate on the “non-performance” of the NDA government in Bihar during its first year. “Nitish Kumar has been trapped in his own game and his links with the RSS are for everyone to see,” he said.

If the RJD-backed candidates win either of the seats, the RJD chief’s beliefs would stand vindicated.

The chief minister, who, along with his colleagues in the government, undertook hectic campaigning in both the constituencies, has also been confident of the NDA victory. “The winner in both the constituencies (from NDA) have already been decided. The Opposition is fighting a battle for the second spot,” said Nitish.

“Sixty companies of central paramilitary forces, 30 of Bihar Military Police and 13,600 personnel of the district armed police have been deployed in the two constituencies. We will also ensure air surveillance for a peaceful polling,” police spokesman Anil Sinha said.

The polling, will begin at 7 am and end at 4 pm.