Bihar’s Phase 1 battle begins. (Photo: ANI, Youtube)
Bihar votes today in the first phase of the high-stakes assembly elections, kicking off a political battle spread across 121 constituencies in 18 districts. More than 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,314 candidates, including some of the biggest names of the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan.
The first phase is packed with prestige battles, celebrity candidates and family rivalries making it one of the most closely watched election phases in Bihar’s recent political history.
Why it matters: Raghopur has long been a Yadav family bastion.
RJD’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav is eyeing a hat-trick from here. He faces BJP’s Satish Kumar Yadav, who once defeated Rabri Devi in 2010, and Jan Suraaj Party’s Chanchal Singh.
Tejashwi’s victory margin here will set the tone for the Mahagathbandhan.
Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary is contesting from his home turf after 15 years.
Traditionally a JD(U) fortress, the seat has been handed to the BJP under the seat-sharing pact.
Here, Choudhary faces RJD’s Arun Kumar.
This seat is a prestige battle — a win strengthens NDA’s narrative.
Another deputy CM and BJP heavyweight Vijay Kumar Sinha seeks a sixth term.
He faces Jan Suraaj Party’s Suraj Kumar.
One of NDA’s safest seats, a loss here would be a major upset.
Family drama, rebellion, and a three-way battle.
Lalu Yadav’s elder son Tej Pratap, expelled from the RJD, is contesting under his new outfit Janshakti Janata Dal.
He faces:
Mukesh Kumar Raushan (RJD, sitting MLA)
Sanjay Singh (LJP)
The Yadav family feud adds emotional weight to the contest.
Superstar Bhojpuri singer-actor Khesari Lal Yadav enters politics on an RJD ticket.
BJP has fielded Chhoti Kumari, backed by deputy CM Samrat Choudhary.
Chapra is historic once represented by Lalu Prasad Yadav four times.
Folk music sensation Maithili Thakur, 25, makes her debut from BJP.
She faces RJD’s Binod Mishra.
The contest is being viewed as outsiders vs locals even though she speaks fluent Maithili.
Strongman and JD(U) candidate Anant Singh is in fray despite being arrested recently in a murder case linked to the campaign.
Facing him is JSP’s Piyush Priyadarshini, whose party worker was killed last week.
This constituency is overshadowed by crime and controversy.
The late gangster-turned-politician Shahabuddin’s son Osama Shahab makes his political debut on an RJD ticket.
He faces JD(U)’s Vikash Kumar Singh and JSP’s Rahul Kirti.
Dynasty politics meets legacy factor.
|
Seat |
Key Candidate |
Party |
|
Hasanpur |
Raj Kumar Ray vs Mala Pushpam |
JD(U) vs RJD |
|
Harnaut (Nitish’s pocket borough) |
Hari Narayan Singh |
JD(U) |
NDA is betting on its deputy CMs and new faces to retain power.
Mahagathbandhan hopes Tejashwi Yadav’s charisma and RJD’s caste arithmetic will swing the results.
Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, may cut into traditional vote banks.
ALSO READ: Bihar Votes Today: Phase One Opens With 121 Crucial Seats| Key Points
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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