Patna – The political landscape of Bihar is bracing for a high-stakes showdown as the first phase of the assembly elections commences today, November 6, 2025. A total of 1,314 candidates are vying for a chance to represent 121 constituencies, with the fates of these hopefuls resting in the hands of 3.75 crore voters across 18 districts.

At the forefront of this electoral battle is Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), along with two deputy chief ministers and 13 ministers. The Nitish Kumar-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) has a significant stake in this phase, with 10 of its 15 ministers belonging to the BJP, including Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai), and five from JD(U), including Vijay Kr Choudhary (Sarairanjan) and education minister Sunil Kumar (Bhore).

For Tejashwi Yadav, the scion of Lalu Prasad Yadav, the contest in Raghopur is particularly crucial, as it is considered a stronghold of his family. He is seeking a hat-trick in this constituency but faces a formidable opponent in Satish Kumar of the BJP, who previously defeated Tejashwi's mother, Rabri Devi, in 2010.

Adding to the intrigue, Tejashwi's elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, is contesting from Mahua in Vaishali district under his own Janshakti Janata Dal banner. Tej Pratap's expulsion from the RJD earlier in the year due to personal controversies has added another layer of complexity to the family's political endeavors.

In Tarapur, BJP's Samrat Choudhary aims to solidify his position after nearly a decade, facing a challenge from RJD's Arun Kumar Sah, who narrowly lost the previous bypolls. Meanwhile, in Lakhisarai, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha is seeking a fourth consecutive term, competing against Congress's Amresh Kumar and Jan Suraaj's Suraj Kumar.

The electoral drama reaches a fever pitch in Mokama, where JDU strongman Anant Singh is pitted against RJD's Veena Devi, wife of Surajbhan Singh. Both candidates hail from the Bhumihar community, setting the stage for a deeply personal and politically charged duel.

In the lead-up to the elections, Tejashwi Yadav has emphasized the importance of an inclusive government, hinting at the possibility of multiple deputy chief ministers, including representatives from the Muslim and Dalit communities. This strategy is seen as an attempt to consolidate the support of key voter bases, particularly the Muslim community, which accounts for a significant portion of Bihar's population.

Recent opinion polls have suggested that Tejashwi Yadav is a popular choice for the Chief Minister's post. The INDIA bloc had earlier declared Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar assembly polls.

As Bihar heads into this crucial first phase, the outcome will not only determine the fate of individual candidates but also set the tone for the remainder of the elections and the future of the state's political landscape.