Bihar Elections 2025: Phase One Voting Begins Amid NDA–Mahagathbandhan Showdown

Bihar’s political stage is set as voting has begun for the first phase of its two-round election, covering 121 of the state’s 243 constituencies, NDTV reported.

While the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led NDA is seeking another mandate to continue its governance, the RJD-Congress led Mahagathbandhan hopes to overthrow the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Bihar’s citizens to participate actively in what he called the “festival of democracy.”

The Opposition’s Grand Alliance, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, is betting on anti-incumbency and a sweeping promise of jobs for every home.

Yadav, who steered an energetic campaign, aims to capture the youth vote after RJD’s strong 2020 performance, where it emerged as the single largest party.

The BJP’s campaign remained star-studded, fronted by PM Modi and key leaders from BJP-ruled states.

Yet, the NDA narrative was clouded by uncertainty over who would lead the state if it returns to power.

Speculation swirled that 74-year-old Nitish Kumar might be replaced, as his JD(U) appeared secondary to the BJP.

The rumours ended only after Amit Shah and J P Nadda publicly reaffirmed Kumar’s leadership at the last moment.

The Congress, still struggling after its weak 2020 showing, failed to sustain momentum this time.

Though Rahul Gandhi launched the campaign alongside Tejashwi Yadav, his prolonged absence left the party’s effort adrift.

The fallout was evident in seat-sharing disputes between Grand Alliance allies.

In at least a dozen constituencies, Congress and RJD candidates now face each other in “friendly contests,” risking a division of the anti-NDA vote.

Political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party adds an unpredictable twist to the race.

Contesting all 243 seats, his outfit vowed no alliances, and focuses on tackling corruption and poor governance in the state.

Kishor himself predicted that Jan Suraaj will win either under 10 or over 150 seats.

Core livelihood issues dominate this election—unemployment, migration, corruption, and weak public services.

Tejashwi Yadav’s pledge of one government job per household, totaling around 1.3 crore, has intensified the debate.

The NDA, in power for nearly two decades, argues that Yadav’s promise is fiscally unrealistic.

Instead, it has pledged one crore jobs of its own—alongside an ambitious plan to create one crore women entrepreneurs.

Today’s polling covers key constituencies across Central Bihar, a region that favored the Grand Alliance in 2020. Back then, it claimed 63 of 121 seats, while the BJP-JD(U) combine secured 55.

Also Read: What Does Bihar Look Like In 2025? Reflections And Anticipations..