Bihar – Bihar Phase 1 voting commenced Thursday morning at 7 am, marking the beginning of a crucial political contest that will determine the future governance of India’s third-most populous state. Over 3.7 crore voters across 121 constituencies in 18 districts are exercising their franchise to decide the fate of 1,314 candidates representing various political formations. This electoral phase features several high-stakes battles involving prominent political figures whose performance could significantly influence the overall election outcome.
Massive Electoral Exercise Across 18 Districts
The Bihar Phase 1 voting encompasses constituencies spread across Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur districts. With 45,341 polling stations established—36,733 of which are located in rural areas—the Election Commission has made extensive arrangements to facilitate smooth voting. Among the 3.75 crore eligible voters, approximately 10.72 lakh are first-time voters, potentially bringing fresh perspectives to this triangular electoral contest.
The Bihar Phase 1 voting represents a three-way competition between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (comprising Janata Dal United, Bharatiya Janata Party, Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas, Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha), the opposition Mahagathbandhan (including Rashtriya Janata Dal, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, CPI Marxist-Leninist Liberation, CPI Marxist, and Vikassheel Insaan Party), and political analyst Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party making its electoral debut.
Tejashwi Yadav: Hat-Trick Hopes in Family Bastion
The most watched contest during Bihar Phase 1 voting involves RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav seeking a third consecutive victory from Raghopur constituency. This seat holds immense sentimental and political value for the Yadav family, having been represented by Tejashwi’s parents—former chief minister Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi—in previous elections.
Tejashwi faces formidable opposition from BJP’s Satish Kumar, who previously dethroned Rabri Devi in 2010 while contesting on a JD(U) ticket, demonstrating his electoral strength in this constituency. Additionally, Jan Suraaj Party’s Chanchal Singh has entered the fray, potentially splitting anti-incumbency votes and adding complexity to this high-profile battle.
Samrat Chaudhary: Deputy CM Returns After 15 Years
Bihar’s deputy chief minister and BJP heavyweight Samrat Chaudhary represents another significant contest in Bihar Phase 1 voting. Competing from his home constituency of Tarapur after a 15-year gap, Chaudhary serves as second-in-command in Bihar’s NDA government and has led the BJP’s state unit since 2023.
His political pedigree runs deep—his father Shakuni Chaudhary served as MLA from Tarapur six times consecutively since 1985, while his mother Parvati Devi also won election to the Bihar Assembly. Chaudhary faces RJD’s Arun Shah, who unsuccessfully contested the 2021 bypolls, making this a test of both personal popularity and party strength.
Maithili Thakur: Folk Singer’s Political Debut
Among the most discussed candidates in Bihar Phase 1 voting is 25-year-old folk singer Maithili Thakur, contesting on a BJP ticket from Alinagar in Darbhanga district. Her candidacy represents the party’s strategy to attract young voters and leverage her popularity as a cultural figure.
Thakur faces criticism for being an “outsider” despite her fluency in the local Maithili dialect and roots in the adjoining Madhubani district. Currently settled in Delhi with her family, her transition from entertainment to politics has generated significant attention and debate about celebrity candidates entering electoral politics.
Mangal Pandey: Veteran Minister’s Assembly Debut
Bihar Phase 1 voting also features minister and former BJP state chief Mangal Pandey, who has served as MLC since 2012 but is now contesting his first assembly election from Siwan. As a seasoned political figure, Pandey’s performance will be closely monitored as an indicator of BJP’s organizational strength and his personal appeal beyond legislative council politics.
Tej Pratap Yadav: Family Rivalry in Mahua
Another dramatic battle during Bihar Phase 1 voting unfolds in Mahua, where Independent MLA and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav—elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav—faces a multi-cornered contest. His opponents include RJD’s sitting MLA Mukesh Kumar Raushan, LJP’s Sanjay Singh, and Independent candidate Ashma Parveen.
This contest highlights internal tensions within the Yadav political family, with Tej Pratap choosing to contest independently rather than on his father’s party ticket, adding an element of family drama to the electoral proceedings.
Stakes and Implications
The Bihar Phase 1 voting outcomes will set the tone for subsequent phases, potentially influencing voter sentiment and campaign strategies. Victory margins and vote shares in these 121 constituencies will provide crucial insights into alliance effectiveness, voter mood, and the viability of Jan Suraaj Party as a third alternative. With polling concluding at 6 pm in most areas and 5 pm in some locations, the stage is set for a consequential democratic exercise that will shape Bihar’s political landscape for the next five years.
