Bihar Election 2025 Latest Updates: The politics of Bihar is at its peak at this time. In the electoral atmosphere, the first phase of voting held on Thursday caught the attention of the entire country. This time the voters showed such enthusiasm that a record voting was recorded in the history of Bihar. In the voting held on 121 seats, 64.69% votes were cast, which is about 8% more than in the year 2020. After so much enthusiasm, the big question now is whether this voting is a sign of Nitish Kumar’s return or do the people want change?
Highest voting in history
In the first phase, 3.75 crore voters had the right to cast their votes, out of which 2.42 crore people voted. This is the participation of about 36 lakh more voters than in 2020. Earlier in 2020, the turnout in the first phase was 56.1%, in 2015, 55.9%, and in 2010, 52.1%. This time’s data shows that the people of Bihar have reached the polling stations more active and aware than ever before.
Bumper voting in Bihar – a sign of change or confidence?
It has often been seen in the electoral history of India that when voting is high, the public expresses the desire for change. But this does not happen every time. Even in states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat, the ruling parties retained power despite high voting. Whereas in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and UP, governments changed after high voting. Therefore, it is too early to say in Bihar whether the public wants to change Nitish Kumar or is in a mood to give him a second chance.
Women voters become game changers
This time the most interesting aspect was the huge participation of women. In Bihar, from 2005 till now, women voters have brought Nitish Kumar to power several times. Schemes like cycle scheme and prohibition had made him Nitish’s permanent vote bank. Although this support weakened a bit in 2020, Nitish has again tried to instill the same trust with the new women support scheme in 2025. At the same time, Tejashwi Yadav has also made a big move to woo women. Promise to give ₹30,000 to every woman. Whereas Nitish government has announced ₹ 10,000 assistance amount. Now it has to be seen which way the women votes lean, because this will decide who will get the chair of Patna.
Triangular combat and suspense
Voting in the first phase took place in Darbhanga, Tirhut, Kosi, Saran, Munger and Bhagalpur divisions. In 2020, out of these 121 seats, 60 seats were won by NDA and 61 seats were won by Grand Alliance. But this time Prashant Kishor’s Jansuraj Party is in the fray, which has made the contest triangular. NDA is calling it a victory of public trust, while the Grand Alliance is calling it a wave of change.
Eyes set on the second phase
Now the whole of Bihar is waiting for November 11, when the second phase of voting will take place. Political analysts say that in the areas where the government’s schemes were successful, NDA can get benefit, while in the areas where there are problems like unemployment and migration, the Grand Alliance has a strong hold. At present, it is clear that the people in Bihar have broken their silence. Now it remains to be seen whether this bumper voting is the knock of change or the confidence of Nitish’s continuity, the answer to which will be given only by the results on November 14.