Patna: Bihar’s political stage turned electric on Thursday as voting began for the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts. Over 3.75 crore voters are expected to determine the fate of 1,314 candidates, including several heavyweight leaders from both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Among the most closely watched contests is the Raghopur seat, where Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face, is eyeing a third straight victory. His main opponent is BJP’s Satish Kumar, known for defeating Yadav’s mother and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi in the 2010 elections when he was a JD(U) candidate. The constituency had drawn early attention after Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor hinted at contesting from Raghopur, though he later stepped back, nominating Chanchal Singh in his place.
Meanwhile, in Mahua, Tejashwi’s elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav, now leading his newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal, faces a multi-cornered contest. The seat, currently held by RJD’s Mukesh Raushan, has become a political hotspot with LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate Sanjay Singh and Independent Ashma Parveen—who was the runner-up in 2020—adding to the fierce competition.
The first phase will also decide the fate of several ministers in the Nitish Kumar-led government, including both Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. With the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan locked in a tight race, today’s polling will set the tone for the crucial second phase on November 11, while vote counting is scheduled for November 14.
