Bihar Votes Today! Big Names, Bigger Battles in First Phase Polling

Voting is underway in Bihar today in the first phase of the state assembly elections. Polling is being held across 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts, where over 3.75 crore voters are deciding the fate of 1,314 candidates.

The districts which go to the polls are Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Bhojpur and Khagaria.

Among the keen contests, Raghopur remains in the headlines with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav—younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav—fighting to hold on to his seat. His elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, is also in the fray from Mahua on a newly-established political banner after launching his own outfit, the Jan Shakti Party.

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While Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is seeking re-election from Tarapur, his cabinet colleague Vijay Kumar Sinha is in the fray from Lakhisarai.

Adding a touch of glamour to the poll arena, Bhojpuri singer Maithili Thakur has entered the contest from Alinagar on a BJP ticket, while popular actor-singer Khesari Lal Yadav is contesting from Saparar as the RJD candidate.

In Mokama, jailed JDU strongman Anant Singh is once again testing his political fortunes even as he faces trial in connection with the murder of his rival Dular Chand Yadav. While in Raghunathpur, Osama Shah, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, is contesting on an RJD ticket.

A number of these constituencies are likely to be closely contested and see high voter turnouts.

The second phase of polling, for the remaining 122 seats, will be conducted on November 11, with counting of votes slated for November 14. The election authorities have maintained that all arrangements are in place to ensure peaceful and transparent voting across the state.