PATNA, Oct. 15 -- With time running out for the Bihar Legislative Council elections, the fight has intensified for the eight seats - four each of graduate and teacher constituencies - with mainstream political parties making last ditch bid to overcome internal dissension and secure winning margin. After Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) suspended party leader Ram Pukar Sinha, BJP has also acted tough against two rebel candidates Rahul Singh and Ramendra Rai in the fray for Saran teacher seat, where JD(U) has Anand Pushkar as the NDA nominee. Both the BJP leaders have been suspended for six years and party sources said that another one might get the axe for contesting Darbhanga Graduate seat as an independent to send a stern message across that any action against party line and official nominee would not be tolerated. To confound the situation, RLM's state president Alok Kumar Singh campaigned in support of independent candidate Ram Pukar Sinha, who was backed by the party MLAs during nomination. He also met BJP leader Pawan Singh. However, the JD(U) has refrained from any action against party MLA Anant Singh, whose defiant posturing against party's official nominee Neeraj Kumar has not stopped despite party's attempt to control the situation. This has also pointed to growing fissures within the party, which may come to fore after election results are out. All the senior leaders of JD(U), including party working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary, health minister Nishant Kumar, state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha and others, have jumped into campaigning. In the face of continued attack from Anant Singh, Neeraj has been heavily banking on Nitish Kumar magic and the strides the state made in the last two decades through Nishant Kumar to dilute the impact of Anant Singh, as it could prove costly in case of close finish due to the presence of multiple players. Urging voters to vote for NDA-supported JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar from the Patna Graduates Constituency and BJP candidate Naval Kishor Yadav from the Patna Teachers Constituency, Nishant has been describing the election as vote for Bihar's future. "Do take a moment to reflect on where Bihar stood two decades ago and where it stands today. Bihar has made remarkable progress and the momentum must continue," he said at Nawada and Nalanda and he is next headed for Barh, before interacting with party workers at JD(U) office on Thursday. Senior BJP leaders like Union minister Nityanand Rai, Rajbhushan Nishad, party state chief Sanjay Sarogi and others have also been campaigning for NDA leaders to avoid another Bankipur like embarrassment. At the organisational meeting at the Bihar state office. Bihar BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi and BJP national secretary and organisation co-in-charge for Rohan Gupta discussed with others ways to make organisational activities more effective and the party's preparations in view of the upcoming electoral challenges. Another meeting is also scheduled under chief minister Samrat Choudhary. With Durga Puja Saptami falling on October 17 and Dashmi on October 20-21, there is not much time left for campaigning, as election is scheduled on October 23. The candidates have now stepped up campaigning to make the most of the time available and star campaigners have taken the reins in their hands. Under the Sections 126, 126A and 135C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act), all election-related activities, which could influence or affect the results of an election like holding public meetings, giving speeches, etc. are prohibited during the silence period....