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Bihar Assembly Election Phase 1 sees 60.13% turnout till 5 pm, tops 2020 feat

Bihar’s first phase of polling saw a 42% voter turnout by 1 pm, as 121 constituencies voted in a closely contested battle between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s NDA and Tejashwi Yadav’s Grand Alliance.

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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).

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Vijay expresses gratitude to Modi, Rahul Gandhi for congratulatory messages after poll victory

Vijay thanked PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi after his party’s strong Tamil Nadu poll performance, promising governance focused on public welfare.

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Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.

“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.

The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.

According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.

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Mamata Banerjee questions poll process, targets Election Commission after defeat

Mamata Banerjee accuses the Election Commission of misconduct after BJP’s historic win in West Bengal, questioning the fairness of the electoral process.

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TMC chief alleges irregularities in electoral process as BJP secures decisive victory in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India, accusing it of playing “nasty games” during the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.

Reacting to her party’s defeat, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief alleged that the electoral process was not conducted fairly and raised serious concerns over the role of authorities in the outcome.

According to reports, Banerjee claimed that the mandate did not reflect the true will of the people, suggesting that irregularities and manipulation may have influenced the results. She questioned the credibility of the election process and indicated that her party would review the situation further.

The remarks came after the Bharatiya Janata Party registered a historic win in West Bengal, marking a major political shift in the state.

Banerjee’s criticism adds to a series of allegations made during and after the election period, where she had earlier also raised concerns about counting procedures and the conduct of central agencies.

Despite the setback, the TMC leadership has signalled that it will continue to challenge the results politically, while maintaining that democratic norms must be upheld.

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Himanta Biswa Sarma attacks Congress after Assam win, says people made Pawan Khera eat Pera

Himanta Biswa Sarma targets Congress after BJP’s Assam win, saying voters made Pawan Khera eat pera.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on the Congress after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Reacting to the results, Sarma took a swipe at Congress leader Pawan Khera, saying that the people of Assam had made him “eat pera,” a remark aimed at highlighting the party’s defeat in the state.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a commanding win, marking its third consecutive term in Assam. The BJP itself won a significant number of seats, while its allies — the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) — also contributed to the alliance’s strong tally.

The victory underlines the BJP’s continued dominance in the northeastern state, with Sarma emerging as the central figure in the party’s campaign and governance narrative.

Political observers note that the scale of the mandate reflects voter support for the party’s leadership and its governance approach, even as the opposition struggled to mount an effective challenge.

With this result, the BJP has further strengthened its position in Assam’s political landscape, while the Congress faces renewed questions over its performance in the state.

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