As Bihar’s high-stakes assembly elections unfold, more than 3.7 crore registered voters are casting ballots today across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, deciding the political future of 1,314 contenders in the opening phase. Polling commenced at 7 a.m., setting the stage for intense rivalries that could reshape the state’s power dynamics.
Among the marquee matchups are battles involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and his brother Tej Pratap Yadav, alongside Bihar’s deputy chief ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These contests highlight the blend of legacy politics, fresh faces, and regional heavyweights vying for influence in this crucial electoral round.
RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, a prominent opposition figure, is bidding for a third consecutive win in Raghopur, a seat steeped in his family’s legacy. His parents, former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, both held the constituency in the past. Facing him is BJP’s Satish Kumar, who unseated Rabri Devi in 2010 under a Janata Dal (United) banner, and Jan Suraaj Party’s Chanchal Singh. This three-way fray underscores the seat’s enduring significance in Bihar’s political narrative.
In Tarapur, BJP deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary returns to the fray after a 15-year hiatus, defending his family’s stronghold. A key architect of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, Chaudhary assumed leadership of the state BJP unit in 2023 and serves as second-in-command in the government. His opponent, RJD’s Arun Shah, previously challenged unsuccessfully in the 2021 by-elections. Chaudhary’s lineage adds weight to the race: his father, Shakuni Chaudhary, secured six terms as MLA from Tarapur starting in 1985, and his mother, Parvati Devi, won once in the Bihar Assembly.
ALSO READ : ‘NDA Will Win 160+ Seats’: Amit Shah’s Confident Prediction for Bihar Elections
Bihar minister Mangal Pandey, a long-time BJP loyalist and former state party president, steps into uncharted territory with his debut assembly bid from Siwan. An MLC since 2012, Pandey is drawing scrutiny as he transitions to direct voter mandates in this politically charged district.
Adding an unconventional twist is folk singer Maithili Thakur, a 25-year-old BJP nominee contesting from Alinagar in Darbhanga. Hailing from neighboring Madhubani and now based in Delhi with her family, Thakur’s fluency in the local Maithili dialect bolsters her appeal. Yet, critics label her an outsider to the segment, fueling debates over her candidacy amid the buzz surrounding her celebrity status.
The drama peaks in Mahua, where independent MLA and ex-minister Tej Pratap Yadav—another son of Lalu Prasad Yadav—clashes with RJD incumbent Mukesh Kumar Raushan, Lok Janshakti Party’s Sanjay Singh, and independent Ashma Parveen. This multi-cornered tussle tests loyalties in a constituency marked by shifting allegiances.
These pivotal races, as covered by Hindustan Times, exemplify the fervor of Bihar’s electoral landscape, where familial ties, party machinery, and emerging voices collide. With results poised to signal broader trends, the phase-one verdict could tilt the balance in the protracted battle for governance.
