Bihar phase 1 elections: Key constituencies witness high drama and fierce contests

The first phase of Bihar’s assembly elections, held on November 6 for 121 seats, brought high drama and closely watched contests across several key constituencies.

Among these, five seats stood out, drawing attention for unique political narratives, intense personal rivalries, and tests of strategy.

As Bihar prepares for the second phase of voting on November 11, covering 122 seats, the patterns observed in Phase 1—voter turnout, competition intensity, and emerging trends—offer insights into how the remaining contests might unfold.

Tarapur: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary’s Gamble

Contestants: Samrat Choudhary (BJP) vs Arun Kumar (RJD)

In Munger district, Tarapur has long been a JD(U) stronghold. In 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary contested on a BJP ticket, marking a significant strategic move within the NDA.

Past Trends:

2010: JD(U) won by 13,878 votes (37.4%)

2015: Margin 11,947 votes (43.6%)

2020: Narrow victory at 7,225 votes (36.9%)

The constituency, with its mix of Kushwaha, Yadav, Muslim, and Scheduled Caste voters, saw heightened competition. With 13 candidates in the fray, voter engagement continued to rise, reflecting a tighter contest than in previous elections.

Why it matters: A loss here would be a significant setback for BJP’s eastern Bihar ambitions.

Raghopur: Tejashwi Yadav Defends His Fortress

Contestants: Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD) vs Satish Kumar (BJP)

Raghopur remains the RJD’s dynastic seat. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, holding the constituency since 2015, faced Satish Kumar for a third consecutive time. High voter turnout in Phase 1, alongside 13 candidates, indicated both strong mobilisation and potential vote fragmentation.

Historical Margins:

2010: Satish Kumar (JD(U)) defeated Rabri Devi by 13,006 votes

2015: Tejashwi’s margin 22,733 votes

2020: Margin widened to 38,174 votes (48.7% vote share)

Phase 1 voting reinforced the narrative of dynastic strength versus opposition strategy.

Mahua: Family Feud Shakes the RJD Base

Contestants: Mukesh Kumar Raushan (RJD) vs Sanjay Singh (LJP-RV) vs Tej Pratap Yadav (JJD)

Mahua’s contest highlighted internal divisions within the Yadav family. Tej Pratap Yadav’s entry with the Janshakti Janata Dal created a three-way split in the traditional RJD vote, while LJP’s Sanjay Singh represented the NDA.

Past Results:

2010: JD(U) victory, 21,925 votes (40%)

2015: Tej Pratap flipped it for RJD with 28,155 votes (43.3%)

2020: RJD retained with 13,687 votes (36.5%)

With 15 candidates—the highest among the five key seats—Mahua exemplified voter unpredictability in Phase 1.

Alinagar: Maithili Thakur’s Political Debut

Contestants: Maithili Thakur (BJP) vs Binod Mishra (RJD)

BJP fielded 29-year-old classical singer Maithili Thakur in Alinagar, Darbhanga, against veteran Binod Mishra. The constituency has historically delivered razor-thin margins, making it highly unpredictable.

Margins Over the Years:

2010: Abdul Bari Siddiqui (RJD) won by 4,989 votes (37.2%)

2015: Siddiqui increased the margin to 13,460 votes (48.3%)

2020: Mishri Lal Yadav won by just 3,101 votes (38.6%)

Phase 1 voting highlighted the impact of youth appeal, celebrity status, and voter mobilisation in close contests.

Mokama: Anant Kumar Singh Tests Loyalty

Contestants: Anant Kumar Singh (JD-U) vs Veena Devi (RJD)

Mokama is synonymous with Anant Kumar Singh, the “baahubali” politician who has won here four times under different party banners. His return to JD(U) for Phase 1 tested whether personal loyalty could outweigh party allegiance.

Historical Data:

2010: JD(U) win by 8,954 votes (44.1%)

2015: Independent victory, 18,348 votes (37.4%)

2020: RJD landslide, 35,757 votes (53%)

Phase 1 showed that Mokama’s outcome hinges on the enduring appeal of individual candidates versus party structures.

Looking Ahead: Phase 2 on November 11

With Phase 1 voting completed, Bihar’s political landscape is clearer—but still fluid. The second phase, covering 122 seats, will be crucial for both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan as they aim to consolidate gains and convert momentum into victories. Analysts suggest that turnout trends, candidate strategy, and localised issues will play decisive roles in the final outcome.

Bihar’s political theatre is far from over—the coming days will reveal how Phase 1 patterns shape the strategies and fortunes of parties in Phase 2.