Patna, Bihar – The high-stakes battle for Bihar officially commenced today as voting began for the first phase of the Assembly Elections, encompassing 121 crucial seats across the state, primarily concentrated in Central Bihar. This initial round sets the tone for the entire contest, which is dominated by concerns over unemployment, migration, and anti-incumbency sentiment against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Early reports indicated a moderate turnout, with 13.13% of voters casting their ballots by 9 am. Despite the early hour, several top political figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, and LJP’s Chirag Paswan, were among those who exercised their franchise.
The Opposition Grand Alliance, spearheaded by Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav, is vigorously contesting the election on a platform focused on change, underscored by the audacious promise of 1.3 crore government jobs for the youth—a staggering commitment that has reshaped the electoral narrative. RJD leader Lalu Yadav amplified this message, urging voters to opt for a “youth government” after what he termed “20 years” of stagnation.
In response, the incumbent NDA, confident of securing another term, is leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal and asserting that the alliance will achieve an unprecedented majority. While acknowledging the focus on employment, the ruling coalition has countered the RJD’s promise by proposing a more financially feasible plan of creating 1 crore jobs and empowering women entrepreneurs to become ‘lakhpatis.’
The political landscape is further complicated by the entry of election strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, which is contesting every seat and has flagged corruption and decline in essential services. Kishor’s presence is being viewed as the potential ‘X factor’ that could split the non-BJP vote, adding a layer of unpredictability to the initial phase results. These Phase 1 constituencies proved to be a stronghold for the Grand Alliance in 2020, winning 63 seats compared to the NDA’s 55, making today’s outcome a critical barometer for the entire election.
