Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 Enter Crucial Phase as Campaigning Ends for 2nd Round

Patna: Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 are entering a decisive stage as campaigning for the second and final phase concludes at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Political parties are now gearing up for polling day on November 11, when voters in 122 constituencies across 20 districts will choose the next state government.

A total of 1,302 candidates are in the fray for this phase, including 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate. More than 37 million voters, comprising 19.5 million men and 17.4 million women, are eligible to cast their votes.

The first phase, held on November 6, saw a 64.6% voter turnout, with Begusarai recording the highest at 67.32% and Sheikhpura the lowest at 52.36% by 5 p.m. The Election Commission described the turnout as encouraging, indicating active voter engagement.

The two main alliances—the ruling NDA, led by BJP and JD(U), and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by RJD and Congress—are making last-minute appeals to voters. BJP celebrated the high turnout as a sign of pro-incumbency and confidence in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while Congress claimed its internal assessments suggest that 12 out of 15 ministers contesting in the first phase are likely to lose.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing multiple rallies, described the voter enthusiasm as “a reflection of public trust in the track record of Narendra and Nitish.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also intensified campaign efforts with three rallies and a major roadshow on Friday, marking NDA’s final push before the campaign deadline.