Bihar Votes in 1st Phase: Key Battles Feature Tejashwi, Samrat Chaudhary, and Maithili Thakur
Patna – Bihar began voting on Thursday for the first phase of its high-stakes assembly elections. Polling started at 7 a.m. across 18 districts. Over 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,314 candidates contesting 121 seats. The first round features several heavyweight battles that could shape the state’s political balance.
Leading the charge, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is eyeing a third straight win from Raghopur in Vaishali district. The seat holds deep family roots—his parents, former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, once represented it. Facing him is BJP’s Satish Kumar, who defeated Rabri Devi in 2010 while contesting on a JD(U) ticket. Also in the fray is Chanchal Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor. The triangular fight adds intensity to Raghopur’s prestige battle.
Meanwhile, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary is back in the electoral ring after 15 years. Contesting from his home turf Tarapur in Munger district, he faces RJD’s Arun Shah, who lost the 2021 bypolls. Chaudhary, a senior BJP leader and state unit chief since 2023, commands strong roots in the region. His father, veteran leader Shakuni Chaudhary, served as an MLA six times since 1985, while his mother Parvati Devi also represented the seat once. As a key strategist in the NDA camp, Chaudhary carries both political legacy and electoral pressure.
In Siwan, BJP leader Mangal Pandey steps into the assembly poll arena for the first time. A two-time MLC and former state BJP president, Pandey enjoys a strong organizational background. His entry into direct elections marks a significant move for the saffron party, which aims to reclaim lost ground in the region once dominated by Shahabuddin’s influence.
Adding a fresh twist to the electoral mix, folk singer Maithili Thakur makes her debut from Alinagar in Darbhanga district. Contesting on a BJP ticket, the 25-year-old artist faces criticism for being an “outsider.” However, her command of the Maithili language and cultural roots in Madhubani strengthen her appeal among local voters. Having built a strong online following through her traditional songs, Thakur now tests her popularity on the political stage.
In Mahua, another high-voltage contest unfolds. Former minister and Independent MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, seeks to reclaim his political standing. He faces RJD’s sitting MLA Mukesh Kumar Raushan, LJP’s Sanjay Singh, and Independent Ashma Parveen. The multi-cornered fight makes Mahua one of the most watched constituencies of this phase.
As voting continues through the day, reports indicate brisk turnout in most districts, with tight security at polling stations. This first phase will set the tone for the remaining rounds of Bihar’s assembly election, where both NDA and the RJD-led alliance aim to secure an early advantage.
