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The second phase of Bihar elections 2025 begins today across 122 seats, including key districts bordering Nepal. Can Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet secure victory or will opposition forces make major gains in this high-stakes contest?
Phase 2 of Bihar elections underway across 122 seats.
Patna: The second phase of Bihar Assembly elections 2025 is underway today, with polling taking place across 122 constituencies in multiple districts. This round is particularly significant as a number of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet ministers are seeking re-election, making it a crucial test for the ruling alliance.
The districts voting today include West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. All of these districts share borders with Nepal and fall within the Seemanchal region, which has a substantial Muslim population. This demographic makes the phase especially important for both the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
Nine ministers from Nitish Kumar's cabinet are contesting in this phase. They include Bijendra Prasad Yadav from Supaul, Sumit Kumar Singh from Chakai, Mohd Zama Khan from Chainpur, Leshi Singh from Dhamdaha, Krishna Nandan Paswan from Harsidhi, Renu Devi from Bettiah, Neeraj Kumar Bablu from Chhatapur, Nitish Mishra from Jhanjharpur and Prem Kumar from Gaya. Other notable candidates include Sheila Mandal from Phulparas, Vijay Mandal from Sikti and Jayant Raj Kushwaha from Amarpur.
Some constituencies are drawing extra attention due to multi-cornered contests. Kahalgaon Assembly seat in Bhagalpur is witnessing a four-way battle involving Mahagathbandhan allies RJD and Congress, the ruling Janata Dal United, and Pawan Kumar Yadav, a rebel BJP legislator contesting as an Independent. Other key candidates include Congress state chief Rajesh Kumar from Kutumba, former assembly speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary from RJD, Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan and CPI-ML leader Mehboob Alam.
This phase is also seen as a measure of strength for smaller NDA allies. Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha are contesting six seats each. Their performance could impact the overall dynamics within the ruling alliance.
Reports of a rift within the Mahagathbandhan have surfaced during the campaign, but Mukesh Sahani, chief of the Vikassheel Insaan Party and Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate of the opposition alliance, has denied such claims. Both alliances are working to consolidate voter support in the closing hours of campaigning.
Security has been tightened for this phase, with over 400,000 personnel deployed across the state to ensure smooth and safe polling. The first phase recorded a record voter turnout of more than 65 per cent, setting the stage for a keenly watched second round.
Counting of votes for both phases will take place on 14 November. Political analysts are closely monitoring developments, particularly in Seemanchal and other key constituencies, as outcomes here could influence the overall result of the state elections.
The performance of Nitish Kumar's ministers in this phase will be a key indicator of the ruling alliance's strength. With nine cabinet ministers in the fray, including prominent figures like Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Renu Devi, and Nitish Mishra, the results from their constituencies will signal whether the electorate continues to back the incumbent leadership. Analysts suggest that strong voter support in Seemanchal and other politically sensitive districts could help NDA retain its edge, while any significant losses may embolden the Mahagathbandhan and reshape the political landscape in the state.
