Chhath, Bihar's soul-stirring festival, isn't just devotion to Chhathi Maiya ; it is no less than a mandatory visit back home for Biharis worldwide. Yet, this year, with the four-day Chhath ending on October 28, Bihar's migrant population is left in a Catch-22 situation. That's because eight days later, on November 6, the first phase of Bihar's Assembly elections would unfold across 121 seats. The second phase of the polls is scheduled to take place on November 11.

For Bihari migrants, both blue-collared and white-collared, India Today Digital found that the eight-day gap between faith and franchise feels like walking a tightrope.

Bihar ranks second-highest in India in terms of the highest number of out-migrant workers, after Uttar Pradesh, according to registrations on the eShram po

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