The Indus Zone Tech Desk | bihar Assembly Election 2025 | Key leaders including Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Bhojpuri star Khesari Lal Yadav are in the fray.
Patna, November 6, 2025 — The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 began today (Thursday) with polling underway across 121 constituencies out of the state’s total 243 seats. According to the Election Commission of India, more than 3.75 crore registered voters are expected to decide the political fate of over 1,300 candidates in this crucial round of voting.
Voting began at 7 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m., covering 45,341 polling stations, most of which (over 36,700) are located in rural Bihar.
Phase 1: A Decisive Test for Bihar’s Political Alliances
The opening phase holds high stakes for both major alliances — the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) led by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, and the NDA, comprising the BJP and JD(U) under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
In the 2020 Bihar elections, Mahagathbandhan had bagged 63 of these 121 seats, while the BJP-JD(U) combine had secured 55. Smaller regional outfits like CPI(ML) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) are also contesting on several key seats.
Ten of the 20 CPI(ML) seats and ten of the 29 LJP(RV) seats fall under this phase — making it a crucial test of strength for smaller allies within both blocs.
Big Names and Star Power in Bihar Elections 2025
This election phase features an exciting mix of veteran politicians and celebrity candidates.
Tejashwi Yadav, RJD’s chief ministerial candidate, is contesting from Raghopur, aiming for a third consecutive victory.
Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from the BJP, along with Minister Mangal Pandey, are among the prominent leaders in the fray.
Folk singer Maithili Thakur (BJP – Aliganj), Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD – Chapra), and Ritesh Pandey (Jan Suraaj Party – Kargahar) are also contesting, bringing glamour and mass appeal to the electoral battlefield.
Speaking to the media, Khesari Lal Yadav emphasized his vision for development, saying, “I am here for Bihar’s progress — to ensure better education, jobs, and healthcare. Change is necessary if we truly want development.”
Controversies and High-Profile Battles
Some constituencies are drawing national attention for their intense rivalries and candidate backgrounds:
In Raghunathpur, Osama Shahab, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mohd Shahabuddin, is contesting on an RJD ticket. NDA leaders have used his candidature to revive debates around “jungle raj.”
In Mokama, JD(U)’s Anant Singh, currently lodged in jail over a murder case, faces RJD’s Veena Devi, wife of former MP Suraj Bhan — a contest marked by controversy and local influence.
Tejashwi Yadav, urging voters to participate actively, said, “Every vote counts for the future of democracy, the Constitution, and humanity.”
Prime Minister Modi Urges High Turnout
Ahead of the voting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Bihar’s citizens to participate enthusiastically in the “festival of democracy.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“My appeal to all voters of Bihar is to vote with full enthusiasm. Special greetings to the first-time voters — remember, pehle matdaan, phir jalpaan (first vote, then refreshments)!”
Seats and Voter Demographics
Total constituencies in Phase 1: 121
Polling stations: 45,341
Total voters: 3.75 crore
First-time voters (aged 18-19): 7.38 lakh
New electors (added since 2020): 10.72 lakh
Most of these constituencies lie in South and Central Bihar, regions known for their close contests and caste-based dynamics.
Key Battles to Watch
- Raghopur – Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) vs Satish Kumar (BJP)
- Mokama – Veena Devi (RJD) vs Anant Singh (JD(U))
- Chapra – Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD)
- Raghunathpur – Osama Shahab (RJD)
- Mahua – Tej Pratap Yadav (Janshakti Janata Dal)
Tej Pratap Yadav, Tejashwi’s elder brother, is contesting independently after forming his own party — a move that could impact the INDIA bloc’s vote share in select regions.
Bihar Assembly Election 2025: The Road Ahead
The first phase of voting sets the tone for the remaining rounds, determining momentum for both alliances. With star candidates, strong regional equations, and a focus on development and employment, the Bihar Election 2025 promises to be one of the most dynamic political contests in recent years.
Counting of votes is scheduled for December 3, 2025, when Bihar will learn who holds the people’s mandate.
