‘20 years, too long!’: Lalu Yadav calls on Bihar’s voters to usher in change

Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday, November 6, 2025, called for a change in the government in this election, noting the 20-year rule of the NDA Government in Bihar.

“Tawa se roti palatati rahni chahiye nhi toh jal jayegi [the roti should keep turning on the tawa, otherwise it will burn] 20 years is a long time! Now, youth government and a Tejashwi Government are extremely necessary for new Bihar,” Mr. Lalu Yadav said in a post on X.

Bihar elections Phase 1 voting updates on 6 November 2025

Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav also shared a photo of himself with his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav after voting.

Earlier, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cast his vote in the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Mr Kumar, along with a small entourage, arrived at a polling station in Bakhtiyarpur constituency and exercised his right to vote.

In an earlier post on X, Chief Minister Kumar urged voters to exercise their right to vote at the democracy festival. “In democracy, voting is not only our right but also our duty. Today, voting is taking place for the first phase of Bihar Legislative Assembly elections – all voters are invited to exercise their right to vote. Vote and encourage others to do the same. Vote first, treats later!” Mr. Kumar shared a post on X.

Meanwhile, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI), voter turnout in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections till 9 am was recorded at 13.3 per cent. While the highest voter turnout among all districts was recorded in Saharsa district at 15.27 percent, turnout slowed down in Lakhisarai at 7 percent.

As of 9 am, voter turnout in Begusarai district was recorded at 14.60%. This was 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.

The first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar began at 7 am today in 121 constituencies across 18 districts of the state, covering around 3.75 crore voters and 243 seats. Voting will end at 18.00, and for security reasons, voting time has been shortened to 17.00 in some districts.

The first phase will decide the fate of several senior leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey, and JD(U)’s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Tej Pratap Yadav is also in the fray in the first phase.

The 2020 elections were held in three stages. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 125 seats, while the Opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110 seats. Among major parties, Janata Dal (United) won 43 seats, BJP 74, RJD 75 and Congress 19 seats. JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, BJP 110 and RJD 144 seats. and Congress 70.