Bihar Elections: 64% Turnout in Phase 1 as PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi Lead Fierce Phase 2 Campaign

Patna: Bihar recorded over 64% turnout in the first phase of Assembly elections across 121 constituencies, with rural voters leading the enthusiasm. While polling remained mostly peaceful, sporadic violence was reported from Lakhisarai and Saran.

The electoral fate of nearly 1,000 candidates — including 57 JD(U), 48 BJP, 14 LJP(R) of the NDA, and 73 RJD, 24 Congress contenders of the Mahagathbandhan — is now sealed in EVMs. Minapur posted the highest turnout at 73.29%, the Election Commission said.

Bihar Elections 2025 Phase-I: Historic 64.66% Voter Turnout.

ECI’s new initiatives make voting a most pleasant experience for voters.@SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP #CEOManipur #ECI #BiharElection2025 pic.twitter.com/b1hHf6ReaK

— The CEO Manipur (@CeoManipur) November 6, 2025

Convoys Attacked, Police Probe Underway

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha alleged that RJD workers attacked his convoy in his home constituency of Lakhisarai, hurling stones, slippers, and cow dung. He accused the RJD of trying to capture a polling booth and warned of a return to “jungle raj.” The EC has directed strict legal action.

In Saran’s Manjhi constituency, unidentified miscreants targeted CPI(ML) MLA Satyendra Yadav’s convoy. No injuries were reported.

High-Profile Contests in Spotlight

Big names are battling it out in this phase:

• Tejashwi Yadav (Raghopur) seeks a third straight win

• Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary fights RJD’s Arun Shah (Tarapur)

• Tej Pratap Yadav (Independent) challenges RJD and LJP(R) rivals in Mahua

The polls follow a special revision of electoral rolls that reduced the voter count to 7.24 crore.

Campaigning Intensifies for Second Phase

As counting is set for November 14, star campaigners have fanned out across Bihar for the second phase.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in Bhagalpur and Araria, targeted the RJD for “lawlessness and stalled development” during 1990–2005. He said Bihar was “ruined by jungle raj and corruption” during its previous rule.

Union Ministers Amit Shah (East & West Champaran) and Rajnath Singh (East Champaran & Sitamarhi), along with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, joined the NDA’s aggressive outreach. JD(U) chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta also addressed public gatherings.

From the Mahagathbandhan camp, Rahul Gandhi took aim at the NDA, alleging Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is being “remote-controlled by the BJP.” Priyanka Gandhi rallied supporters in Govindganj, Reega, and Benipatti, while Tejashwi Prasad Yadav led a whirlwind tour across Madhubani, Supaul, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Purnea.

BSP supremo Mayawati held her first Bihar campaign event in Bhabhua.