The first phase of Bihar’s high-stakes assembly elections began on Thursday, covering 121 of the state’s 243 constituencies. By 1 pm, voter turnout had climbed to 42% across the 121 constituencies, as citizens lined up at polling stations across the state.

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).

As Bihar heads into a crucial two-phase Assembly election, the high-stakes battle for power has officially begun with voting underway across 121 constituencies in the first phase. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s NDA is aiming to retain power, while the Opposition Grand Alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav eyes an upset fueled by promises of employment and anti-incumbency sentiments.

Nitish Kumar seeks another term amid leadership speculation

The NDA’s campaign, driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior party leaders, focused on continuity and governance. However, internal speculation over the leadership question — with reports hinting at the possible replacement of Nitish Kumar — dominated political chatter until the BJP clarified that Kumar remains their face in Bihar.

Tejashwi Yadav banks on job promise

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has built his campaign around an ambitious promise of providing one government job per household, which would amount to around 1.3 crore jobs. The Opposition hopes this will strike a chord with Bihar’s youth battling unemployment and migration.

Congress struggles to stay relevant

The Congress, a junior partner in the Grand Alliance, appeared disjointed in its campaign. Although Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav initially campaigned together, Gandhi’s long absence created confusion, even leading to “friendly contests” between RJD and Congress candidates in over a dozen seats.

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party enters the fray

Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is contesting all 243 seats, emerging as an unpredictable element. Kishor has said his party will either secure fewer than 10 or more than 150 seats, depending on voter response to his anti-corruption and governance-driven agenda.

Key issues and first phase dynamics

The election discourse centers on unemployment, corruption, healthcare, education, and migration. The NDA promises one crore jobs and a women-centric empowerment drive. In the 2020 elections, the Grand Alliance won 63 of the 121 seats that are voting today, while the NDA secured 55.

Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to participate actively in the “festival of democracy,” especially first-time voters, reminding them: “First voting, then refreshments.”

As Bihar gears up for the first phase of assembly elections on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a direct appeal to the state’s young voters, whom he called his “Gen Z brothers and sisters,” urging them to vote responsibly and vigilantly.

“The greatest strength of democracy is an aware citizenry,” Gandhi said in his message on X, calling on first-time voters to come out in large numbers.

Gandhi repeats ‘vote theft’ charge

Reiterating his earlier allegation of “massive vote theft” in Haryana, Gandhi warned that similar attempts could be made in Bihar. “You have seen how massive vote theft was carried out in Haryana… now their eyes are on Bihar, on your vote, on your future,” he said in a video message.

He asked young voters to remain alert at polling booths and ensure transparency in the electoral process. “The future of Bihar is in your hands. Defeat this conspiracy of vote theft and government theft,” he added.

Rijiju accuses Gandhi of misleading youth

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju countered Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of trying to “mislead and provoke Gen Z” with “fabricated” allegations. He said India’s youth stand “firmly with Prime Minister Modi” and will not fall for “imported narratives.”

“The games he plays in collusion with anti-India forces will never succeed,” Rijiju said.

The Bihar elections have been marked by tensions between the Opposition and the ruling NDA, as well as friction with the Election Commission over a voter roll clean-up drive that the Opposition called an attempt to disenfranchise its supporters. The Commission, however, has denied all such claims.

The second phase of polling will be held on November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.