The first phase of Bihar’s high-stakes assembly elections began on Thursday, covering 121 of the state’s 243 constituencies. By 5 pm, voter turnout had climbed to 60.13% across the 121 constituencies, as citizens voted at polling stations across the state. The turnout as of now is almost 5% above the turnout in the 2020 Assembly poll.
Top political figures including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan were among the early voters. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also cast his vote in the afternoon, joining other top leaders in urging high turnout.
Sharing a family photo with inked fingers, Lalu Yadav urged people to vote for change, writing that “20 years is too long” and calling for a “youth-led government” under Tejashwi Yadav.
Deputy CM Choudhary expressed confidence that the NDA would return to power with a “thumping majority,” while Chirag Paswan appealed for record voter participation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too urged voters to celebrate the “festival of democracy” with enthusiasm, expressing confidence that the NDA would secure a strong mandate.
Key battles and campaign highlights
The Opposition Grand Alliance, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, is banking heavily on anti-incumbency and his flagship promise of “one government job per household,” aimed at addressing Bihar’s chronic unemployment and migration issues.
The BJP, meanwhile, ran an aggressive campaign led by PM Modi and senior party leaders. Despite speculation about Nitish Kumar’s political future, party leaders including Amit Shah and JP Nadda reaffirmed the JD(U) chief’s position in the alliance.
The Congress, though part of the Grand Alliance, was criticized for its lacklustre campaign. While Rahul Gandhi initially joined Tejashwi Yadav for a joint foot march, his absence from the campaign trail in recent weeks drew attention.
Election strategist Prashant Kishor, contesting independently through his Jan Suraaj Party, has emerged as a potential wildcard. His decision to contest all seats without alliances could split the non-BJP vote. Kishor has claimed his party will either win “less than 10 or more than 150 seats.”
Issues shaping the election
The Bihar polls this year revolve around core livelihood concerns — unemployment, corruption, migration, education, and healthcare. Tejashwi Yadav’s 1.3 crore jobs promise has sparked debate, with the NDA dismissing it as financially unsustainable.
The ruling alliance has countered with its own promises of creating 1 crore jobs and empowering women, pledging to make 1 crore women lakhpatis through welfare initiatives.
In the 2020 assembly election, the Grand Alliance had dominated in the same belt, winning 63 of the 121 seats now polling. The NDA had secured 55 seats jointly between the BJP and JD(U).