Bihar goes to the polls at present within the second and ultimate section of the 2025 Meeting elections, with voting below manner throughout 122 constituencies in 20 districts. The end result will resolve the destiny of 1,302 candidates, together with 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cupboard, because the state witnesses a high-stakes battle between the ruling Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
All preparations in place for second section
The Election Fee of India (ECI) mentioned all preparations had been accomplished to make sure free and honest polling. Voting started at 7 a.m. and can proceed till 5 p.m., with voters in queue earlier than closing time allowed to solid their votes.
Polling is being held throughout 45,399 cubicles, of which 595 are managed by ladies, 91 by individuals with disabilities, and 316 are designated as mannequin polling stations. Net-casting amenities have been put in at each centre.
The citizens includes 3.70 crore registered voters – 1.95 crore males, 1.74 crore ladies, and 943 third-gender electors. Of the full candidates, 136 are ladies, accounting for about 10 per cent of the sector.
Safety tightened after Delhi blast
Bihar Director Basic of Police Vinay Kumar mentioned the state had been positioned on excessive alert following final night’s automotive blast close to Purple Fort Metro Station in Delhi, which killed eight individuals. Safety forces have been deployed throughout delicate areas, and inter-state borders have been sealed with intensified checking.
“The state has been on excessive alert for 72 hours because of the elections,” Kumar mentioned. “We urge voters to solid their votes fearlessly and with out apprehension.”
Key constituencies and heavyweights
The second section will seal the destiny of a number of high ministers and senior leaders:
JD(U): Vijendra Yadav (Supaul), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).
BJP: Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi).
Among the many distinguished contests:
Sasaram: RLM chief Snehlata Kushwaha (NDA) vs Satendra Sah (RJD) vs Binay Kumar Singh (Jan Suraaj).
Imamganj: HAM(S) MLA Deepa Kumari (NDA) vs Ritu Priya Chaudhary (Mahagathbandhan).
Bhagalpur: Congress’s Ajeet Sharma vs BJP’s Rohit Pandey vs Abhay Kant Jha (Jan Suraaj).
Sultanganj: JD(U)’s Lalit Narayan Mandal vs RJD’s Chandan Kumar.
Nathnagar: Mithun Kumar (LJP-RV) vs Sheikh Zeyaul Hassan (RJD) vs Ajay Kumar Roy (Jan Suraaj).
Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi can also be contesting by his celebration HAM(S) within the Imamganj constituency, as soon as once more testing his regional affect.
Opposition alleges bias, NDA calls it ‘desperation’
The election marketing campaign concluded amid controversy after Tejashwi Yadav, RJD chief and the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial candidate, alleged that the ECI was appearing as a “software” of the BJP, accusing it of withholding knowledge from the primary section of voting.
“The Fee is useless; it has stopped functioning independently,” Yadav claimed throughout a press convention in Patna. He pledged {that a} Mahagathbandhan authorities would rework Bihar into “probably the most developed state”, promising jobs, training reforms, and agro-based industries.
He additionally accused Prime Minister Modi of protecting NDA leaders from corruption probes, claiming, “In the event you be part of the BJP, your sins are washed away. Bathing within the Ganga might not cleanse you, however becoming a member of the BJP will.”
In response, BJP chief Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned the remarks, saying, “The Opposition all the time assaults democratic establishments when it senses defeat. This election is a selection between jungle raj and good governance.”
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) mentioned the RJD was “nowhere within the first section” and “won’t be seen after November 14”, when outcomes are introduced.
Areas and political stakes
The 122 constituencies span central, northern, and western Bihar, overlaying districts reminiscent of East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Gaya, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Rohtas, and Purnia.
Within the 2020 elections, the BJP gained 42 of those seats, RJD 33, JD(U) 20, Congress 11, and Left events 5. In the course of the 2015 polls, when JD(U) and RJD contested collectively, the alliance secured 80 of the 122 seats.
For the NDA, the problem lies in retaining dominance in its northern bastions – East Champaran, West Champaran, Sheohar, and Sitamarhi the place it presently holds over 30 seats. The Mahagathbandhan is banking on anti-incumbency and voter mobilisation in Magadh and Seemanchal, whereas Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Occasion seeks a breakthrough as a 3rd pressure.
Document turnout anticipated
The primary section, held on November 6, recorded a 65.08 per cent voter turnout, the very best in Bihar’s historical past. Election officers count on comparable enthusiasm at present.
With polling events deployed and safety tightened, Bihar braces for a decisive day that may form the political panorama of the following 5 years. Counting of votes will happen on November 14.
