Chhapra/Patna, May 31: The last day of campaigning for the Maharajganj bypoll ended with a whimper today, as incessant rain played spoilsport.

The political parties had drawn up plans to hold public meetings, but the weather had the last laugh. Rallies and road shows had to be cancelled.

Top leaders, including chief minister Nitish Kumar and the RJD chief, Lalu Prasad, have been campaigning in the constituency for the past few days.

Nitish was scheduled to address public meetings at Bhagwanpur, Madarpur, Basantpur and Goreyakothi today but the weather forced him to remain confined to the party offices in the respective areas.

He interacted with leaders and workers and asked them to work hard to ensure victory for the JD(U) candidate, P.K. Shahi.

In one such interaction, in which party leader Gautam Singh, a relative of RJD candidate Prabhunath Singh was present, Nitish said: “Tight rahiye Gautamji (Be firm, Gautamji).”

After boosting the morale of his party workers, Nitish left for Patna around 3pm.

Cut to Lalu, who had made a night halt yesterday at Masarak in Prabhunath’s house. He was scheduled to take part in road shows today at Isuapur, Panapur and Taraiya. The events, however, were called off.

Despite the inclement weather, the RJD chief approached the masses and tried to impress upon them, saying the Nitish-led government was on the wane. “The result of the election would have far-reaching consequences on the national politics,” Lalu said.

The RJD veteran spent the maximum time in Panapur block, a Yadav and Muslim dominated area. He also travelled to Methaura, Narharpur and Bhorha before leaving for Patna via Taraiya and Amnaur.

Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Choudhary, on the other hand, today rubbished allegations that his party was a “vote katwa” (spoiler of votes) in the Maharajganj bypoll and claimed they would stage a comeback by wining the election.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for peaceful bypoll on June 2.