First Phase of Bihar Polls Sees 60% Turnout, Minor Violence in Lakhisarai as NDA, Mahagathbandhan Trade Barbs

The first phase of Bihar state assembly elections, which covered central Bihar including the capital Patna, with a voter turnout of 60.13 per cent as of 5:00 pm, ended mostly peacefully.

The only reported incident of violence came from Lakhisarai, from where Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha is standing for re-election. In an election spanning 121 constituencies across 18 districts, the main contest remained between the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), with the Jan Suraaj Party expected to play the role of potential spoilers in key constituencies.

Violence erupted in Lakhisarai after a cavalcade led by Sinha was allegedly attacked. Sinha claimed that stones were pelted and “murdabad” slogans were raised by RJD supporters. The Election Commission has sought a report on the incident. The Deputy Chief Minister faced the attack while he was travelling in his vehicle towards Khoriari village.

Sinha alleged that the attackers were RJD supporters who prevented his team from visiting booths in Khoriari. “These are the goons of RJD. The NDA is coming to power, and that’s why bulldozers will roll over their arrogance. They did not allow my polling agent to vote,” he said. High voter turnout was reported from Begusarai, Muzaffarpur, and Gopalganj . Patna district, however, reported a comparatively lower turnout of less than 50 per cent.

Even as polling continued, high-pitched sparring and accusations, and counter-accusations between rival parties continued. Top leaders campaigned in areas scheduled for the second phase, while others used social media platforms to keep voters engaged and the campaign atmosphere charged throughout the day.

RJD chief and former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav called for a change in government, noting that the NDA’s 20-year rule should come to an end for a “new Bihar” to emerge, while asserting that the time is opportune for a Tejashwi government to be formed in the state.

Using a rustic metaphor, Lalu said, “Tawa se roti palat-thi rahni chahiye nahi toh jal jayegi (Chapatis need to flipped to stop them from getting them burnt out). 20 years is too long (for a government to continue). For a young government and a new Bihar, a Tejashwi government is necessary.” Reacting to this, JDU leader Ashok Chaudhary launched a sharp counter, stating, “Jo roti jal jati hai, usko phenk diya jata ha (chapatis which get burnt are thrown out ,” and urged voters to focus on development rather than caste-based politics.

Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial face of Mahagathbandhan, left no stone unturned, making a last-ditch effort by reminding voters of his manifesto promises and guarantees through the social media platform X.

The election is being seen as a crucial test for the NDA, which has been in power in Bihar for the last 20 years While the Mahagathbandhan, needs to show that it can take on the BJP-Nitish Kumar combine and emerge a winner. The remaining 122 constituencies will go to the polls in the second phase on November 11, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 14. The elections are taking place against the backdrop of public concern over unemployment, law and order, migrant workers, and alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

Reiterating Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote rigging," Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that if fair elections are conducted in Bihar, the current NDA government will be voted out and a new government will be formed in the state.

Addressing a public rally during an election campaign in the Govindganj area of East Champaran, the Congress MP alleged that 65 lakh votes have been deleted in Bihar. She further claimed that 25 lakh fake votes were added in the Haryana assembly elections.

The NDA comprises of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JDU), Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha of Upendra Kushwaha.

The Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan consists of seven national and regional parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (INC).Left parties, including the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (CPIML-Liberation), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), are also part of the Opposition’s alliance.Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party and Indrajeet Prasad Gupta’s Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) are also contesting the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 under the banner of the Mahagathbandhan.

In 2020, polling in Bihar took place in three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110. Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) won 43 seats, the BJP 74, the RJD 75, and the Congress 19.