Bihar polls phase 1: Turnout 64.46 pc; ‘attack’ on DyCM’s convoy sparks row

Vijay Sinha alleges RJD violence, seeks special force deployment

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday alleged intimidation and violence by RJD supporters in his constituency, Lakhisarai, during the first phase of polling. Speaking over the phone to the Superintendent of Police, Sinha demanded immediate reinforcement, saying, “I am here at the village. The crowd is coming closer. Send Special Force here. I will sit here in protest.”

Expressing frustration at the administration, he added, “The SP is so weak and a coward. They are not letting the Deputy CM go in. They have hurled stones and cow dung.”

Sinha accused RJD workers of trying to disrupt polling, saying, “These are RJD goons. Look at their hooliganism even when they have not come to power.” He further alleged voter intimidation, claiming, “They threatened my polling agent and turned him away at 6.30 am itself. They are not letting voters come out.”

RJD supporters hurl slippers at Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha

In Lakhisarai, tension flared during the Bihar Assembly elections when a group of RJD supporters surrounded the car of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha. The crowd reportedly hurled slippers and shouted “Murdabad” slogans, preventing his vehicle from moving forward. They also pelted stones at his car.

Vijay Kumar Sinha says, "These are the goons of RJD. Satta mein aa rahi hai NDA isliye inke chhati pe bulldozer chalega. The goons are not letting me visit the village. Vijay Sinha is going to win...They turned away my polling agent and did not let him vote...Look at their hooliganism...This is 404 and 405 booth numbers of Khoriari village."

The incident occurred while Sinha was campaigning in the constituency. Police personnel present at the spot quickly intervened to control the situation and ensure his safety. Despite the disruption, polling and election activities in the area continued under police supervision as authorities worked to maintain law and order amid rising political tensions.

Watch: Shahina Parveen verifies burqa-clad voters’ IDs in Darbhanga

At a polling booth in Zirat, Darbhanga, Anganwadi worker Shahina Parveen was tasked with verifying the identities of burqa-clad women voters during the Bihar Assembly elections. Explaining her role, she said, “We are checking the identity of voters by seeing their face. This will help prevent voting by the wrong person.”

Amit Shah vows infiltrator-free Bihar, slams RJD’s 'Jungle Raj'

At an election rally in Bettiah, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Bihar Assembly elections were crucial for making the state “infiltrator-free.” He claimed that “illegal Bangladeshi immigrants snatch jobs and pose security threats to the country,” stressing that the NDA was committed to protecting Bihar’s interests.

Attacking the opposition, Shah alleged, “The RJD indulged in massacres and rapes while in power. There is no place for ‘bahubalis’ in the NDA government.”

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “established the Makhana Board,” but warned that “if Lalu & co come to power, ‘infiltrator ghusao board’ will be set up.”

Promising development, Shah announced that Champaran would get a new airport, closed sugar mills would be revived through cooperatives, and special schemes for the Tharu community would be introduced.

He cautioned voters, saying, “Champaran will turn into a mini-Chambal if the ‘thagbandhan’ comes to power.”

(With agency inputs)

Ravi Shankar Prasad rejects RJD claim of vote delays, calls it panic

Reacting to the RJD’s allegations of attempts to slow down voting in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed the claims as unfounded. “What’s wrong with the RJD? They have started panicking… These baseless allegations have no meaning,” he said.

Prasad pointed out that the Election Commission had already rejected the accusations. “Even if all else fails for you, your defeat is certain,” he remarked.

Highlighting strong voter participation, he added, “The NDA is seeing a huge turnout of women and other voters, yet you’ve already begun crying before noon.”

Confident of victory, he said, “The victory of the NDA is certain, it will be decisive and impressive. I urge everyone to vote.”

Bihar polls phase 1: 42.31 per cent voter turnout recorded by 1 pm

The voter turnout on the opening day of the first phase of the Assembly elections in Bihar till 1 pm stands at 42.31 per cent. While the Gopalganj district has recorded the highest turnout (46.73 per cent), Patna has the lowest turnout (37.72 per cent).

Rajnath Singh hails Nitish, slams RJD over law and order

At a rally in Sitamarhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership and credited him for transforming Bihar into a progressive state. “You have seen the RJD government in action in Bihar. For the past 20 years, you have been witnessing a government led by Nitish Kumar,” Singh said, contrasting the NDA’s governance with previous administrations.

He acknowledged that “some might argue more work could have been done,” but stressed that “no one can deny that if anyone has worked to make Bihar a progressive state moving towards a developed India, it has been under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar.”

Praising Kumar’s integrity, Singh stated, “No one can point a finger at Nitish Kumar and say he has done any corruption.”

Attacking the RJD, he added, “During their rule, goons and criminals were rampant... people were terrified to step out after 5 pm. Today, you can proudly say—come see our NDA-ruled, developed Bihar.”

Bihar elections 2025 | Ground report from Mokama: 'Bahubali' bastion votes in high-stakes clash

Mokama, one of Bihar’s most politically charged constituencies, votes in the first phase of the Assembly elections. The 'Bahubali' contest has turned into a prestige fight between JD(U)’s Anand Singh and LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate Veena Devi, wife of former MP Suraj Bhan Singh. Voters at Hatida booths say the focus this time is on “development over caste”, even as Mokama’s long history of power, rivalry, and strongman politics continues to shadow the election.

Specially-abled voter casts ballot at pink booth in Munger

Kusma Devi, a specially-abled voter, cast her ballot at the Pink Booth set up at Model High School in Tarapur, Munger, during the Bihar Assembly elections. Speaking about her decision to vote, she said, “They told me that my account will be closed, so I thought let’s go and vote.”

Despite personal challenges, she made her way to the polling station to exercise her democratic right. Expressing her frustration over the lack of government support, Kusma added, “No government has provided a Ration Card to me.” Her remarks reflected both her determination to vote and disappointment with the system.

Priyanka Gandhi alleges vote deletions, slams Modi government

At a rally in Govindganj, East Champaran, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the ruling party of undermining democracy and the rights of voters. “The Prime Minister, wherever he goes, says opposition leaders are insulting the people in West Bengal, Kerala, and Bihar. We are talking about your rights, your empowerment,” she said.

Referring to allegations of election irregularities, Priyanka added, “Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi showed that votes were rigged in the Haryana elections — 25 lakh fake votes.” She claimed similar issues in Bihar, saying, “65 lakh votes have been deleted in Bihar.”

Asserting that fair elections would bring change, she declared, “I can guarantee that if fair elections are conducted here, you people will throw this government and form a new one.”