Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said he will not let 'jungle raj' prevail in Bihar after his vehicle was surrounded and pelted with stones by RJD supporters in Khoriari village.

He said, "I will not let Jungle Raj prevail in Bihar. There will be no jungle raj in Bihar as long as Vijay Sinha is there."

Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) dismissed as "completely misleading" an allegation made by the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) that the Election Commission had supplied faulty Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to 10 districts during the first phase of the state assembly elections.

In a post on X, Bihar's CEO wrote, "Voting is proceeding smoothly in all assembly constituencies of the first phase. The aforementioned post is completely misleading." 

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from the Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha, criticised Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and accused its members of "hooliganism" and obstructing the voting process. 

He said, "These are the goons of RJD. Satta mein aa rahi hai NDA isliye inke chhati pe bulldozer chalega. The goons are not letting me visit the village. Vijay Sinha is going to win. They turned away my polling agent and did not let him vote. Look at their hooliganism. This is 404 and 405 booth numbers of Khoriari village."

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has sharply rejected allegations by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) that there were attempts to slow down voting in the first phase of the ongoing state polls. 

Reacting to the RJD's claims, which included allegations of intermittent power cuts at key booths, Prasad said, "What's wrong with the RJD? They have started panicking. These baseless allegations have no meaning. The Election Commission has openly opposed such claims."

In the first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections, 42.31% voter turnout recorded till 1:00 pm.

Among the 18 districts, Gopalganj recorded the highest turnout of 46.73%, followed by Lakhisarai with 46.37% and Begusarai with 46.02%, till 1:00 pm. Patna, the capital of Bihar, continue to record sluggish voter turnout among all districts with a turnout of 37.72%.

On the first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections, Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "Bihar is fed up with the 20 years of bad governance. Unemployment is at its peak there. Bihar is voting against these issues. The effect of the way that Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav have campaigned is clearly visible."

Despite being unwell, an elderly resident of Bihar's Alipur constituency was determined to vote. Her family members went the extra mile, carrying her on a cot to the polling booth to ensure she could exercise her franchise.

As the polling for the first phase of the Bihar election is underway, 16 delegates of seven countries are witnessing the preparation arrangements made by the Election Commission of India for the smooth conduct of the election.

The visit of these delegations from Indonesia, Colombia, the Philippines, France, Belgium, South Africa and Thailand is facilitated under the International Electors Visitor Programme of ECI.

For the first time ever, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has enabled CCTV monitoring in all 100% of polling stations. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners (ECs) Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, personally reviewed the live feed and overall proceedings from the central Control Room at the ECI headquarters.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Member of Parliament Shambhavi Chaudhary praised the high voter turnout in the current elections and emphasised the significant participation of women.

She said, "Right to vote is the biggest right given by the Constitution... Casting a vote is very important. I appeal to the people to go out and vote for those whose ideology they can relate to. The voter turnout is very good this time. More women than men are visible at the polling booths; this is the picture of a changing Bihar. Women will choose a strong government for Bihar."

A voter turnout of 27.65% has been recorded till 11:00 am in the 121 seats in Bihar where elections are underway. 

The Begusarai district recorded the highest turnout of 30.37%, while Patna, the capital of the state, recorded a slow turnout of 23.71% till 11:00 am.

Lakhisarai, which earlier recorded a sluggish turnout at 9 am, has now recorded a turnout of 30.32% till 11:00 am.

Gopalganj district has recorded a voter turnout of 30.04%, followed by 28.02% in Buxar, 26.76% in Bhojpur, 26.07% in Darbhanga, 28.96% in Khagaria, 28.46% in Madhepura, 26.68% in Munger, 29.66% in Muzaffarpur, 26.86% in Nalanda, 29.68% in Saharsa, 27.92% in Samastipur, 28.52% in Saran, 26.04% in Sheikhpura, 27.09% in Siwan and 28.67% in Vaishali - all as of 11:00 am.

Actor and BJP leader Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' said, "This is 'Loktantra ka mahaparv'. Step out of your houses and vote for the development of Bihar. We appeal to everyone that voting is the biggest right you have. Vote for the development of Bihar."

Responding sharply to the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) allegations of deliberate power outages at Mahagathbandhan's strongholds aimed at disrupting voting, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar said, "This allegation is completely baseless and misleading. Voting is taking place smoothly at all polling stations in Bihar. The Election Commission of India is following all standard protocols to ensure that the voting process is fair, transparent, and uninterrupted. There is no basis for such misleading propaganda."

Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad voiced confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory. Speaking on voter turnout and the expected outcome, Prasad said, "The people of Bihar, whether in the first phase or the second phase, will vote in large numbers. This time, an NDA government with a decisive mandate is going to be formed, a historic majority is on the way. I am proud of the voters and the people of Bihar."

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and his wife Maya Shankar cast their vote at a polling booth in Patna.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, monitors Bihar Assembly elections from ECI monitoring room.

Jan Shakti Janata Dal national president and candidate from Bihar's Mahua assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav, said, "Every voter should go and cast his/her vote in this election. I want to tell the people of Mahua that they will not be disappointed this time. The way I gave a medical college to the people of Mahua last time, I will give an engineering college to the constituency this time."

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "The people of Bihar know their good. Seeing the development of Bihar over the last 15 years, they realise this is possible only under the leadership of PM Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the NDA. I have full faith that NDA will form the government with a full majority, and we will get more votes and seats than before."

RJD leader and son of former MP Shahabuddin, Osama Sahab, casts his booth at a polling booth in Pratapur, Siwan in Bihar during phase 1. 

After casting his vote in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections, actor-singer and BJP leader Pawan Singh said, "I voted for development. I urge the people of Bihar to step out of your house and vote for development."

Jan Shakti Janata Dal's national president and candidate from Bihar's Mahua assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav said, "The people of Bihar must cast their vote. Every vote is important. The blessings of parents hold a special place, and the blessings of the public have their own importance."

Mahagathbandhan's Deputy Chief Minister face Mukesh Sahani said, "My message is that everyone should step out of their house and cast their vote - for a better government and a better Bihar. Vote to strengthen democracy. This nation is yours, not of any politician. The public is the owner of this country."

A voter turnout of 13.13% was recorded till 9:00 am in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India.

The highest voter turnout of 15.27% was recorded in Saharsa district of the state among all districts, while Lakhisarai recorded a sluggish turnout of 7%.

A voter turnout of 14.60% was recorded in Begusarai district, followed by 13.11% in Bhojpur, 13.28%in Buxar, 12.48% in Darbhanga, 13.97% in Gopalganj, 14.15% in Khagaria, 13.74% in Madhepura, 13.37% in Munger, 14.38% in Muzaffarpur, 12.45% in Nalanda, 11.22% in Patna, 12.86% in Samastipur, 13.30% in Saran, 12.97% in Sheikhpura, 13.35% in Siwan and 14.30%in Vaishali.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed strong optimism about the NDA's prospects in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections and said that the "grand festival of democracy" is seeing "amazing enthusiasm." 

In a post on X, he wrote, "The grand festival of democracy in Bihar is witnessing an amazing enthusiasm among the people, which indicates that the NDA is going to get an unprecedented majority in the assembly elections. In this energetic atmosphere, I am eager to receive the blessings of my family members at the public meetings in Forbesganj, Araria around 11:30 AM and in Bhagalpur around 1:30 PM."

On Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav contesting from Bihar's Mahua, RJD leader Rohini Acharya said, "My blessings are with him. Do you not bless your siblings?"

She further said, "Unemployment is going to be eradicated in Bihar this time. People in villages who are running from pillar to post for jobs need not go outside after 8 days. They will get jobs in Bihar itself."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the voters of Bihar, especially the youth, urging them to cast their ballots in "record numbers" during the first phase of polling. Shah called the election as a crucial choice, stating that every vote will serve to prevent the return of 'jungle raj.' 

"Voters of Bihar, brothers and sisters, especially the youth-I urge you to vote in record numbers in the first phase of polling today. Each and every one of your votes will pave the way to prevent the return of jungle raj in Bihar, sustain good governance, and build a developed, self-reliant Bihar. Teach a lesson in this election to those who toy with the country's security by providing protection to infiltrators and Naxalites," he wrote on X.

RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's Chief Minister face Tejashwi Yadav, along with his wife, Rajshree Yadav arrived at a polling station in Patna to cast their votes for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) urged all eligible voters to exercise their franchise, asserting that "Bihar is ready" for the "festival of Democracy" as the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar began on Thursday.

Long before he stood on the floor of the Lok Sabha and delivered his signature one-liners, making even his opponents laugh, Lalu Prasad Yadav's story began in Bihar's Phulwaria village. From Phulwaria to Patna Secretariat and then to Parliament, he's spent over 50 years in the political corridors.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh casts his vote at a polling booth in Patna. He said, "This is a festival of democracy. We must follow 'Pehle matdaan, phir jal-paan'. NDA government in the leadership of Nitish Kumar will be formed in Bihar again."

Actor and singer Khesari Lal Yadav, RJD candidate from Bihar's Chapra, casts vote at a polling centre.

Bihar Minister and five-time BJP MLA from Darbhanga, Sanjay Saraogi, expressed strong confidence in National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory and said that "the people are voting in the name of development." 

He said, "The people are voting in the name of development. It looks like NDA will form the government with a majority. I have been a five-time MLA from here, and I will win the sixth time too. The public has come to vote with their minds made up to form the NDA government. The common man is with PM Modi and NDA."

Singer and BJP candidate from Alinagar, Maithili Thakur offers prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Alinagar, Darbhanga.

She said, "I start each day by offering prayers. I am learning new things every day. I am trying to ensure that no voter faces any problems. I am ready."

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha, casts his vote for the first phase of Assembly Elections.

He said, "I am also going to cast my vote. Everyone in Bihar has the opportunity to cast their votes. I appeal to every Bihari to come out and cast their votes in large numbers. Voting has started peacefully, I thank the Election Commission."

Veena Devi, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate contesting from Bihar's Mokama seat, began her polling day by offering prayers at a local temple before casting her vote. She urged voters to "not fear anyone" and to "vote peacefully." 

"I want to tell the voters that they should not fear anyone and vote peacefully. There is no need to fear anyone," Devi said.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh cast his vote in his native village, Barhiya. The Union Minister cast his vote at a polling booth located in Middle School-2 in Barahiya town. Officials welcomed him upon his arrival by presenting him with a sapling.

Speaking to reporters after voting, the Union Minister Giriraj confidently claimed a victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 95 out of the 121 seats contested during the first phase of polling.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha, offered prayers at his residence as the first phase of polling began in the state.

As the first phase of polling commenced in Bihar, an inspiring moment unfolded at a polling booth in the Hajipur assembly constituency. Drishti Sinha, who is eight months pregnant, arrived with her family to cast her vote.

She underscored the necessity of casting a ballot, emphasising that voting is crucial for securing development in the region. Sinha said that if she could make the effort to come and vote in her condition, there was no reason why other women could not do the same.

Bihar Minister and BJP candidate from the Bankipur constituency, Nitin Nabin, arrived at the polling station located at Miller High School in Digha, Patna, to cast his vote. 

Visuals from a polling booth in Lakhanpur of Bihar's Tarapur constituency as people queue up to cast their vote.

As the first phase of polling began, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the day as a "festival of democracy" and urged all eligible citizens to participate enthusiastically.

"Today is the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy. On this occasion, hearty congratulations to the young voters who are going to vote for the first time," he wrote on X.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face, emphasised the importance of the ongoing polls and appealed to all citizens, particularly the first-time "Gen-Z" voters, to cast their ballots in the interest of upholding democracy, the constitution, and humanity.

In a video message on X, Yadav said, "Today is an important day for voting. The future destiny of Bihar will be determined by the single button you press. It is very essential for you to vote in the interest of democracy, the constitution, and humanity. I want to appeal to all voters, especially the GEN-Z exercising their vote for the first time."

A concerted effort has been made to promote an inclusive environment. This phase features 926 all-women-managed booths and 107 booths managed entirely by Divyang (differently-abled) personnel. In addition, 320 model booths have been established across the region to provide enhanced facilities and a better experience for voters. The key districts participating in this phase are Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Munger, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, and Muzaffarpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to mark the start of the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, calling the day the "festival of democracy."

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Today in Bihar is the first phase of the festival of democracy. My appeal to all voters of this phase in the assembly elections is that they should vote with full enthusiasm. On this occasion, my special congratulations to all my young companions of the state who are going to cast their vote for the first time."

There is no vacancy for Chief Minister in Bihar, and the BJP will continue to back incumbent Nitish Kumar for the top post, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said at NDTV Bihar Power Play in Patna today. The BJP leader was speaking at NDTV Bihar Power Play.

Asked about the buzz over his chances to take over as Chief Minister, he replied, "There is no vacancy for Chief Minister. Bihar has seen a long, dark chapter. After (Bihar's first Chief Minister) Sri Krishna Sinha, Bihar saw many Chief Ministers in the next 40 years, and none completed the five-year term. Nitish Kumar showed development to Bihar. After 2005, girls and boys got school uniforms and cycles. He took education forward. Bihar had 2,000 high schools, now it has 10,000," he said.

In a state where many seek opportunities beyond its borders, the promise of jobs is not a mere campaign promise but a lifeline.

Tejashwi Yadav's pledge of one government job for every household -translating to a staggering 1.3 crore jobs over five years - strikes a chord. It embodies hope and ambition, in stark contrast to the NDA manifesto which promises 1 crore government jobs and aims to create 1 crore women lakhpatis.

Prashant Kishor of Jan Suraj Party adds another layer to this complex narrative, echoing concern about corruption and decline in essential services.

His emphasis on jobs, education, and health aligns with the electorate's urgent desires, yet his independent stance raises questions about the potential fracture of the Opposition vote.

What are the main agendas and who are the star campaigners for the first phase of assembly elections to be held in Bihar on November 6? The last time, Mahagathbandhan had the advantage in the belt in the south of Ganga. Will the NDA, with a blitzkrieg campaign strategy, trounce the Mahagathbandhan this time? Read here