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

Tej Pratap promises engineering college for Mahua constituency

Tej Pratap Yadav, national president of the Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JSJD) and candidate from the Mahua Assembly constituency, on Thursday urged voters to participate actively and ensure a peaceful election process.

Speaking to reporters during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Yadav appealed, “Every voter should go and cast his or her vote in this election. The election should be conducted peacefully.”

Reaching out directly to his constituents, he assured them of continued development in the region. “I want to tell the people of Mahua that they will not be disappointed this time,” he said.

Highlighting his past achievements, Yadav added, “The way I gave a medical college to the people of Mahua last time, I will give an engineering college to the constituency this time.”

His comments reflected both confidence and a promise of progress as he sought to strengthen his bond with voters ahead of a closely watched contest in Mahua.

Sanjay Jha says women voters trust Nitish Kumar, NDA

JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday expressed confidence in the growing participation of women voters during the Bihar Assembly elections, attributing it to their trust in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Speaking to reporters amid the first phase of polling, Jha observed a notable enthusiasm among women at voting booths. “I think women voters are coming out in large numbers because they have faith in NDA and Nitish Kumar,” he said.

As polling progressed across 121 constituencies, Jha’s remarks highlighted the JD(U)’s focus on women’s empowerment as a key pillar of its campaign narrative and a driving force behind voter turnout in the ongoing Bihar Elections 2025.

Mukesh Sahani urges Bihar voters to strengthen democracy

As voting began for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, the Mahagathbandhan’s Deputy CM face, appealed to voters to participate actively in shaping the state’s future. Speaking to ANI before casting his vote in Darbhanga, Sahani said, “The public are the owners of democracy. You have the right to elect the Chief Minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country. Step out and vote in large numbers.”

Questioning the performance of past governments, he asked, “Did those who were in power earlier fulfil all the promises they made?” Responding to claims about voter list discrepancies, he added, “If there are discrepancies, it is not right," reported ANI

After casting his vote with his family, Sahani urged citizens to “vote to strengthen democracy”, reminding them that “this nation is yours, not of any politician.”

Meanwhile, Union Minister Nityanand Rai expressed confidence that the NDA would win, saying voters were choosing “development and rejecting jungle raj.” He described Bihar as “the mother of democracy” and urged citizens to “celebrate this festival of democracy with great enthusiasm.”

Polling across 121 constituencies began at 7 a.m., with over 3.75 crore voters participating in this critical electoral phase.

Vaishali DM sings in Bajjika to inspire voters in Bihar polls

Amid the charged atmosphere of the Bihar Assembly elections, Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh has found a unique way to inspire voter participation through song. The young IAS officer of the 2016 Bihar cadre has composed and sung a tune in the local Bajjika dialect, urging citizens to treat the election as a true “festival of democracy.”

In her catchy appeal, she sings, “Vaishali ki janta suniha hamro pukar, pahile kariha matdaan phir jalpan kariha” (People of Vaishali, listen to my call, cast your vote first, then have breakfast). Speaking to PTI, Singh said her goal was to improve upon the district’s 58 per cent voter turnout recorded in the previous assembly polls. “People must understand the importance of their votes,” she said.

Focused especially on motivating women, Singh explained, “One needs to strengthen their feeling of being part of a community and their ability to bring meaningful change through voter participation.”

Despite having no formal musical training, she believes that singing in the local language helps connect with people emotionally. “I’m hopeful the voting percentage will rise this time,” she said.

Highlighting Vaishali’s legacy, Singh noted that it was the world’s first republic, dating back to 600 BCE, and remains a cradle of democratic ideals rooted in Jainism and Buddhism.

(With agency inputs)

Tej Pratap Yadav urges Bihar voters to cast every vote

Tej Pratap Yadav, national president of the Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JSJD) and candidate from the Mahua Assembly constituency, urged voters in Bihar to exercise their democratic right as polling for the first phase of the state elections got underway.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, “The people of Bihar must cast their vote. Every vote is important.” He emphasised that active participation in the electoral process is essential for strengthening democracy and shaping the state’s future.

Reflecting on the role of public support in politics, he added, “The blessings of parents hold a special place, and the blessings of the public have their own importance.”

Watch: Nitish Kumar casts his vote in Bakhtiyarpur, Patna

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cast his vote in Bakhtiyarpur, Patna, during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, proudly displaying his inked finger after voting.

Women allege being denied voting at the Patna booth

Two women at the Veterinary College Ground polling booth in Patna alleged they were denied the chance to vote during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. One of them, identified as Shreya, expressed frustration over the handling of voter slips by officials.

“The BLO didn’t give me my voter slip, and now they’re saying it’s my fault,” Shreya told reporters. She said officials at the booth asked her to download the slip digitally but later insisted on a physical copy, preventing her from voting.

“I wasn’t provided the slip today, I don’t even know why. Now it’s getting late, so I’m leaving,” she added, describing the situation as yet another instance of election-day mismanagement. Shreya lamented, “I came here to vote, but this kind of chaos happens every time in Bihar.”

Nityanand Rai urges Bihar voters to celebrate democracy

Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Thursday urged citizens to participate wholeheartedly in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, describing the occasion as a celebration of democracy.

Speaking to reporters, Rai said, “All of us should celebrate the festival of democracy with great enthusiasm.” He called on voters across the state to come out in large numbers, adding that the ongoing polls represent the true spirit of democratic participation.

“Today, voting for the first phase of Bihar Election 2025 is taking place,” the minister said, encouraging people to cast their ballots responsibly. He further appealed to citizens to “celebrate this ‘Loktantra Ka Mahaparv’” by strengthening the democratic process through active participation.

Rai’s remarks came as polling began early in the morning across 121 constituencies, with security arrangements tightened and voter enthusiasm reported from several districts.

Bihar polls phase 1: 13.13 per cent voter turnout recorded by 9 AM

The first day of the opening phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has witnessed a voter turnout of 13.13 per cent till 9 am. The Saharsa district witnessed the highest turnout of 15.27 per cent, while the Lakhisari recorded the lowest turnout of 7 per cent till 9 am.

Kharge urges Bihar voters to choose change and new direction

As voting began for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday (November 6), Congress appealed to citizens to vote for change and a better future. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to “exercise their constitutional right in large numbers” and steer Bihar toward “a new direction of change after 20 years.” He said the people have “a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to the opportunistic rulers” who, he claimed, have disguised “corruption, misgovernance, and jungle raj as development.”

Kharge called for building a Bihar where “the youth’s future is secure” and all communities-Dalits, Mahadalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and minorities- enjoy equal rights under a renewed vision of social justice.

Echoing the sentiment, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed to voters to “come out in large numbers” and vote for “jobs, education, health, and a bright future for Bihar.” Polling began at 7 a.m. across 121 constituencies under tight security.

(With agency inputs)