The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 began on Thursday with 13.13 percent voter turnout recorded till 9 am in the first of two phases. The voter turnout climbed to 27.65 percent by 11 am and to 42.31 percent by 1pm. The figure stood at 53.77 percent by 3 PM and to 64.46 percent by 5 PM. Polling is underway in 121 of 243 constituencies, marking the start of one of India’s most fiercely contested state elections.
The battle lines are clearly drawn between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and a resurgent Mahagathbandhan, even as Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party adds intrigue to the equation.
The first phase will decide the fate of several political heavyweights — including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, his estranged brother Tej Pratap Yadav, and multiple ministers from the Nitish Kumar government.
“This phase will set the tone for the entire election. The margins here could decide who forms the next government,” said a senior election observer.
RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav took to X confirming that the Yadav family has voted amid the ongoing Bihar Assembly Election. (Photo: Tejashwi Yadav/X)
In 2020, the Mahagathbandhan dominated this region, winning 63 seats to the NDA’s 55. With Patna and surrounding districts voting today, the political pulse of Bihar may once again be determined here.
Key Battles to Watch
Prominent seats include:
Raghopur: Tejashwi Yadav seeks a hat-trick against BJP’s Satish Kumar, now contesting on a JD(U) symbol.
Mahua: Tej Pratap Yadav battles RJD’s Mukesh Raushan in a prestige contest after his expulsion from the party.
Tarapur: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary faces a test as he contests an Assembly poll after a decade.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar poses for a photo after casting his vote on Thursday. (Photo: Nitish Kumar/X)
Folk singer Maithili Thakur is also making her political debut from Alinagar on a BJP ticket, hoping to turn her popularity into votes in an RJD stronghold.
Celebrities, Strongmen, and Political Drama
The election has its share of star power and muscle.
Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav is contesting from Chhapra on an RJD ticket, while Ritesh Pandey represents Jan Suraaj Party in Kargahar.
In Mokama, the contest has turned bloody after the murder of a Jan Suraaj supporter, setting up a direct face-off between jailed JD(U) strongman Anant Singh and RJD’s Suraj Bhan’s wife.
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The shadow of Bihar’s notorious bahubali politics looms large, with figures like Osama Shahab — son of the late Mohammad Shahabuddin — also contesting.
Promises, Poll Narratives, and Voter Mood
The campaign saw fiery exchanges between the alliances.
The RJD and Congress focused on unemployment, law and order, and accused CM Nitish Kumar of being a “BJP puppet.”
In response, the NDA revived its “jungle raj” charge, warning voters against the return of “RJD-era lawlessness.”
Women, forming a decisive voting bloc, were courted aggressively. The NDA promised ₹10,000 cash transfers, while Tejashwi Yadav pledged ₹30,000 under the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’.
The elections are being held under the shadow of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which led to 60 lakh voter deletions.
The opposition alleged the exercise aimed to disenfranchise marginalised communities, further fuelling tension and mistrust.
Phase-Wise Schedule
Phase 1 Voting: November 6, 2025
Phase 2 Voting: November 11, 2025
Results: November 14, 2025
