Voting is underway across 122 constituencies in Bihar for the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly elections on Tuesday, amid tight security, officials said. Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged citizens to vote in large numbers and set a new record.
“Today marks the second and final phase of voting in the Bihar assembly elections. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and set a new voting record. I especially urge my young friends from the state, who are voting for the first time, to not only cast their votes themselves but also inspire others to do so,” PM Modi said on X.
Kumar echoed the sentiment, saying voting is “not only our right, but also a responsibility.” “I appeal to voters to exercise their right to vote in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections,” he posted.
Polling is being held in districts including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj — most of which fall in the Seemanchal region bordering Nepal. The area, known for its high Muslim population, has become a key battleground for both the INDIA bloc, which draws significant minority support, and the ruling NDA, which accuses the opposition of “protecting infiltrators.”
In this phase, around 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates, including several ministers in the Nitish Kumar government. The first phase of polling on November 6 saw a record turnout of over 65 percent across 121 constituencies. Counting for both phases will be held on November 14.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said voters are endorsing the NDA’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” agenda. “The record of 2010 will be broken, and the NDA will win with a heavy majority,” he asserted, accusing the opposition of attempting to “spoil social harmony through caste politics.”
State minister Ashok Chaudhary said the polling reflects a shift beyond caste lines. “People are voting for economic prosperity and to reclaim the glory of Bihar’s heritage,” he said.
However, opposition MP Pappu Yadav took a swipe at the Centre, linking recent security lapses to the ongoing election mood. “From Pulwama to Pahalgam, and now in Delhi, incidents of blasts are taking place. The one with a 56-inch chest is responsible for these. The prime minister and home minister should accept their fault and resign,” Yadav said.
Among the key candidates in this phase are senior JD(U) leader Bijendra Prasad Yadav, contesting from Supaul for an eighth straight term, and BJP veteran Prem Kumar, seeking an eighth consecutive victory from Gaya Town.
Other ministers in the fray include BJP’s Renu Devi (Bettiah) and Neeraj Kumar Singh 'Bablu' (Chhatapur), along with JD(U)’s Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha), Sheela Mandal (Phulparas), and Zama Khan (Chainpur).
In Katihar district, CPI(ML) Liberation’s Mehboob Alam (Balrampur) and Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Kadwa) are eyeing third straight wins.
This phase is also crucial for smaller NDA partners — Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) — each contesting six seats. HAM has all its candidates in the fray today, while RLM’s contenders include Kushwaha’s wife Snehlata (Sasaram) and aide Madhaw Anand (Madhubani), both debuting in this election.