The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout of 64.66%, the highest in the state’s history.
The polling on November 6 covered 121 constituencies across Bihar and set the tone for a fiercely contested election between the ruling NDA and the opposition-led Mahagathbandhan.
Despite the largely peaceful polling process, the day was not without incident. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha faced an attack during campaigning, and the RJD alleged that power cuts in its stronghold booths disrupted voting. The Election Commission dismissed the claims as “baseless and misleading.”
Big Names and Fierce Rivalries
Phase 1 featured some of Bihar’s most high-profile contests. Tejashwi Yadav sought a third consecutive win from Raghopur, while his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav contested from Mahua. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary fought from Tarapur, returning to the assembly battle after a decade.
Meanwhile, Bhojpuri stars Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD) and Ritesh Pandey (Jan Suraaj Party) added glamour to the campaign trail. Singer Maithili Thakur, contesting on a BJP ticket from Alinagar, became the youngest face of the party.
The Siwan constituency saw BJP’s Mangal Pandey make his assembly debut, while Mokama once again turned into a battleground of strongmen. JD(U)’s Anant Singh, currently in jail, faced off against RJD’s Suraj Bhan’s wife.
The Stakes and the Voters’ Verdict
In the 2020 elections, the Mahagathbandhan had an edge in these seats, winning 63 to the NDA’s 55. With over 60 lakh names deleted during a special electoral roll revision, this year’s polls carried additional tension.
Women voters emerged as a decisive force, courted by both sides with promises ranging from Tejashwi Yadav’s ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’ offering ₹30,000 cash support to the NDA’s ₹10,000 transfer scheme.
The results of Phase 1 will shape the political direction of Bihar ahead of the November 11 second phase and the final vote count on November 14.
With record participation, fiery rhetoric, and powerful contenders, Bihar’s first phase of the 2025 elections will be remembered as a turning point in the state’s democratic journey.
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