Voting picked up pace in the first phase of Bihar elections. Will the government change this time?

Enthusiasm was visible

at polling stations, but in Bihar, this enthusiasm often clashes with disappointment. Development, education, and employment are the same issues that resonate in every election, yet remain unfulfilled. But this time, voters are testing leaders on the basis of these old promises.

Bihar once again stands before the court of democracy. With voting for 121 assembly seats, the first chapter of the 2025 electoral battle has begun. While it may seem like a routine election process, a deeper look reveals that this phase is a test not only of Nitish Kumar’s credibility, but also of Tejashwi Yadav’s reliability and Prashant Kishor’s potential.

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In Bihar, alliances are no longer a permanent ideology, but rather electoral mathematics. Those who were allies in 2020 have become rivals in 2025. Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) is now with the NDA, while Mukesh Sahni’s VIP is in the opposition camp. This reshuffle shows that vote bank considerations, rather than ideology, have become the central focus of politics in Bihar.

We remind you that in 2020, the Grand Alliance won 61 seats and the NDA 59 in the seats where voting is taking place today. It is believed that a difference of just 0.37% of the vote could be decisive this time. We also note that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA held a lead in 95 assembly segments in these same constituencies, meaning public opinion could either change or remain unchanged.

It will be interesting to see whether the Lok Sabha trend will be replicated in the Assembly elections, or whether a different public sentiment will emerge at the state level.

It’s also noteworthy that this election wasn’t just about two camps. Strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishore has launched a new campaign under the banner of “Jan Suraj.” His appeal is for social reform and policy politics, above caste equations. However, it remains to be seen how far his ideals will find traction in Bihar’s electoral arena.

The shocking fact is that out of 1,314 candidates in the first phase, 354 face serious criminal charges. This statistic raises not only electoral but also moral questions. The question arises: will Bihar’s voters again elect those who face the scrutiny of the law? Or will this election usher in a new era of political purity?

On the other hand, while enthusiasm was evident at polling stations, in Bihar this enthusiasm often clashed with disappointment. Development, education, and employment—these are the same issues that resonate in every election, yet remain unfulfilled. But this time, voters are testing leaders on the basis of these old promises.

Whether it’s Prime Minister Modi’s “vote first, then refreshments” or Priyanka Gandhi’s “day to decide your future,” these aren’t mere appeals, but attempts to awaken the consciousness of Bihar’s voters. The scene of Lalu Prasad Yadav voting with his family, Tejashwi Yadav’s emotional appeal, and a leader arriving at the polling booth riding a buffalo—all these scenes are a living manifestation of Bihar’s political folk culture, where democracy still breathes the scent of the soil.

Nevertheless, the first phase of this election is only the beginning, but it holds clues to the direction of the entire election. The question arises: will Nitish Kumar steer his alliance’s faltering boat again? And will Tejashwi Yadav be able to transform youthful enthusiasm into real power? Or will Bihar once again embark on a search for a “third force”? Whatever the outcome, today Bihar’s voters are deciding whether democracy will remain a mere slogan or become the force of a genuine mandate in the coming five years.