The campaign dust has settled, and Bihar is now ready for the final and most decisive phase of its 2025 Assembly elections. On Sunday evening, the curtain fell on campaigning for 122 constituencies across 20 districts, where polling will be held on Tuesday, November 11.
The first phase, held on November 6, covered 121 seats and witnessed around 64.6% voter turnout. In this concluding phase, nearly 3.7 crore people, including about 1.95 crore men and 1.74 crore women, are eligible to vote. As many as 1,302 candidates, including 136 women, are in the fray. Counting of votes for all 243 seats will take place on November 14.
The election has turned into a high-stakes battle between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc), led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. Nitish Kumar, seeking another term in power, has urged voters to back him for “stability and development,” while the opposition is focusing on issues of unemployment, inflation, and what it calls “governance fatigue.”
Over the past week, Bihar witnessed an intense campaign trail featuring top national leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders pitched for continuity, citing welfare schemes and infrastructure growth. On the other side, Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi appealed to youth and first-time voters, promising new opportunities and social justice.
Key battlegrounds in this phase include Chakai, Jamui, Dhamdaha, and Chhatapur, where several ministers and sitting MLAs face tough fights. The Seemanchal region and women voters are expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
To ensure peaceful polling, the India–Nepal border has been sealed for 72 hours, and elaborate security arrangements have been made across all districts. The Election Commission has also enforced a 48-hour silence period, barring any political activity before voting.
As Bihar heads to the polls one last time, the big question remains, will Nitish Kumar retain his grip on power, or will the Mahagathbandhan script a political turnaround? The verdict, to be declared on November 14, will decide Bihar’s next chapter.
