Tejashwi Yadav, Maithili Thakur and more, key leaders, constituencies to watch out for

Bihar Polls: Several high-profile candidates are in the fray for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections to be held on Thursday in 121 constituencies spread across 18 districts in the state. A total of 1,314 candidates are running at this stage, with several high-profile leaders in the running. Sixteen ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet are contesting to retain their seats. Campaigns for the first phase ended on Tuesday evening. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his brother and Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav were also burning the midnight oil to retain their seats.

Voting in Bihar Election 2025 Phase 1

In Phase 1, voting will be held in Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur and Buxar.

16 ministers are contesting in Bihar Election Phase 1

Of the 16 ministers contesting at this stage, 11 are from the BJP quota and five are from the JD(U) quota. Their performance is seen as a direct test of the government’s credibility, governance record and institutional strength.

Key constituencies and candidates

Tarapur Assembly constituency

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is contesting from Tarapur in Munger district. While he is facing RJD’s Arun Kumar Sah, Jan-Suraaj candidate Santosh Kumar Singh and Jantantrik Janata Dal’s Sukhdev Yadav are also in the fray, making it a multi-faceted contest.

Raghopur Assembly constituency

Raghopur Assembly constituency in Vaishali is considered as Tejashwi’s family stronghold. While Tejashwi has fielded NDA candidate Satish Yadav, Jan Suraaj’s Chanchal Kumar emerges as the third front factor.

Mokama (Patna Rural) Assembly constituency

It is in the news due to Dularchand Yadav murder case and Anant Singh’s arrest. JD-U’s Anant Singh and RJD’s Veena Devi – both linked to influential political families – are making this a high-stakes direct challenge.

Ali Nagar (Darbhanga) Assembly constituency

Folk singer Maithili Thakur (BJP) is contesting from Ali Nagar (Darbhanga). He is facing RJD’s Vinod Mishra. Thakur’s popularity in Mithilanchal is an important factor to watch.

Chhapra Assembly constituency

Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD) is contesting from Chhapra Assembly constituency in Saran district against BJP’s Chhoti Kumari and Independent Rakhi Gupta. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha is looking to claim his third consecutive win against Congress member Amresh Kumar in Lakhisarai.

Begusarai Assembly constituency

BJP fielded Kundan Kumar against Congress candidate Amita Bhushan in Begusarai Assembly constituency. Caste arithmetic remains important here.

Bakipur Assembly constituency

In Patna’s Bakipur Assembly constituency, BJP’s Nitin Nabin is in the fray again in this city-affected seat in Patna district.

(With inputs from IANS)