New Delhi: As Bihar opened voting for the first phase of its 2025 Assembly election, Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued a sharp call to voters to turn out in large numbers, warning that the state cannot afford a return to what he described as an era of lawlessness. His appeal came as polling began across 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts, setting the tone for a high-stakes two-phase contest.
Shah focused his message on young voters, urging them to use their ballots to safeguard development and stability. He said every vote would contribute to strengthening governance, improving education, expanding opportunities for the youth and securing welfare for the underprivileged. He also targeted the Opposition, accusing its leaders of compromising national security and protecting infiltrators and Naxalites.
The ruling alliance continued to defend its performance, with JD(U) leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh asserting that Bihar has moved away from fear and disorder under the current administration. He claimed that the state’s development model has brought greater safety and confidence to residents, contrasting it with what he called a period when citizens hesitated to step outside after dark.
Voters began casting their ballots at 7 am, with polling scheduled to continue until 6 pm in most locations. More than 3.75 crore eligible voters, including over ten lakh first-time voters, are participating in this phase. A total of 45,341 polling stations have been set up, the majority of them located in rural areas. The first phase alone features 1,314 candidates, among them 122 women. Counting of votes is slated for 14 November.
This election has shaped into a three-way contest involving the National Democratic Alliance, the Mahagathbandhan and the newly launched Jan Suraaj Party, which is contesting all 243 seats in its debut. High-profile candidates include Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Tarapur, Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur, Tej Pratap Yadav in Mahua and Anant Singh in Mokama.
