Patna, Nov 6 (UNI) The first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections that began at 7:00 am today across 121 constituencies in 18 districts is underway, marking the start of voting for nearly half of the state's 243 Assembly seats.

Around 3.75 crore electors are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. Polling will continue until 6:00 p.m., although voting in certain constituencies has been curtailed to 5:00 p.m. due to security concerns.

This phase will decide the fate of several prominent leaders, including RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey, and JD(U)'s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary.

Tej Pratap Yadav is also contesting in this round.

According to the Election Commission, there are 10.72 lakh new electors, including 7.78 lakh voters aged 18–19 years. The total population of these constituencies is estimated at 6.60 crore.



Key Contests

Raghopur, represented by Tejashwi Yadav since 2015, remains one of the most-watched constituencies. The Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial face faces a tough fight from BJP's Satish Kumar Yadav, who lost here in 2020.

Adding to the contest's intrigue, Tejashwi's brother Tej Pratap Yadav, who recently floated his own outfit—the Janshakti Janta Dal—has fielded Prem Kumar from the same seat. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has nominated Chanchal Singh, making Raghopur a multi-cornered battle. Tej Pratap himself is contesting from Mahua. In Tarapur (Munger), Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary faces RJD's Arun Kumar and Jan Suraaj's Santosh Kumar Singh. The seat was previously held by JD(U) in both 2010 and 2015.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha contests from Lakhisarai, facing Congress's Amaresh Kumar and Jan Suraaj's Suraj Kumar. Mokama, notorious for clashes involving political strongmen, has drawn attention after the murder of Dularchand Yadav. Here, JD(U) candidate Anant Kumar Singh, arrested in connection with the case, is up against Veena Devi, wife of former MP Surajbhan Singh.

In Patna Sahib, traditionally a BJP bastion, the party has fielded Ratnesh Khushwaha, while the Congress has put up Shashant Shekhar. In Darbhanga, BJP candidate and folk singer Maithili Thakur (25) is contesting against RJD's Binod Mishra (63). Thakur is the youngest candidate in the fray and could become Bihar's youngest MLA if elected. Party Position and Alliances There are 122 women candidates contesting in this phase. The Jan Suraaj Party has fielded 119 candidates. Within the NDA, JD(U) is contesting 57 seats, BJP 48, and LJP (Ram Vilas) 14.

Among Mahagathbandhan allies, the RJD is contesting 73 seats, followed by Congress (24) and CPI(ML) (14).

A few constituencies are witnessing "friendly contests" among allies.

In the 2020 Assembly elections, the NDA secured 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan won 110. The JD(U) had contested 115 seats and won 43, while the BJP contested 110 and won 74. The RJD and Congress had contested 144 and 70 seats respectively, winning 75 and 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Bihar's voters to participate enthusiastically in what he called the "festival of democracy." "My special congratulations to all the young voters of Bihar casting their vote for the first time. Remember—first voting, then refreshments," he said.

The Opposition Grand Alliance, led by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, is banking on anti-incumbency and Yadav's promise of "jobs for every home" to boost its prospects.

The RJD, which emerged as the single largest party in 2020, has focused heavily on youth and unemployment issues.

The Congress, however, has been seen as running a lackluster campaign. While it began on a strong note with a joint foot march by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, Gandhi's prolonged absence from the campaign—over two months—has dampened the party's momentum.

The delay also strained seat-sharing negotiations, resulting in over a dozen constituencies where the Congress and RJD are facing each other in so-called "friendly contests." Analysts say this could split the non-NDA vote, potentially benefiting the ruling alliance.

Meanwhile, election strategist Prashant Kishor has entered the fray with his Jan Suraaj Party.

The BJP, meanwhile, has run a high-profile campaign led by Prime Minister Modi and bolstered by union ministers and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states. union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda reaffirmed that the six-time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains the alliance's choice for the top job.

UNI AAB