Patna, November 3 (Udaipur Kiran) — The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 will be held on November 6, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts. Election campaigning for these seats will conclude this evening at 5 p.m. Several constituencies in Darbhanga, Munger, and Patna divisions have emerged as high-profile battlegrounds, with the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) appearing to hold a clear edge over the opposition alliance.

Districts Going to Polls

Voting in the first phase will take place in Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Begusarai, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, and Nalanda districts.
In 2020, the NDA had won 9 of Patna’s 14 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan took 5. This time, Congress leader Siddharth Gautam, contesting on a BJP ticket from the Bikram seat, has added further strength to the NDA camp.

High-Profile Contests in Darbhanga Division

Darbhanga’s 10 assembly seats were dominated by the NDA in 2020, winning 9 of them. Key contests include:

• Jale: Urban Development Minister Jivesh Mishra (BJP) faces Rishi Mishra (Congress), grandson of former Union Minister Lalit Narayan Mishra.

• Alinagar: Singer Maithili Thakur’s candidature has drawn attention; Vinod Mishra (RJD) is contesting against her.

• Darbhanga Urban: Minister Sanjay Sarawgi (BJP) is up against R.K. Mishra (Jan Suraj) and Umesh Sahni (VIP).

• Bahadurpur: Minister Madan Sahni (JDU) faces Bhola Yadav (RJD), a close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Tight Contest in Samastipur

In Samastipur, Minister Vijay Choudhary (JDU) is contesting from Sarairanjan, facing Arvind Sahni (RJD).
From Ujiarpur, senior RJD leader Alok Kumar Mehta is up against Prashant Kumar Pankaj (Rashtriya Lok Morcha). The entry of Mukesh Sahni into the Mahagathbandhan has shifted focus on the Mallah vote bank, though women voters continue to show stronger support for the NDA.
Active campaigning by four key ministers — Sanjay Sarawgi, Vijay Choudhary, Jivesh Mishra, and Madan Sahni — has further bolstered the NDA’s prospects.

NDA Advantage in Kosi Region

In Madhepura, both alliances had split the four seats evenly in 2020. Saharsa had seen the NDA win three out of four. This time too, NDA candidates are leading in Saharsa and Alamnagar.
In Madhepura, former education minister Prof. Chandra Shekhar (RJD) faces Kavita Kumari Shah (JDU), while in Alamnagar, Narendra Narayan Yadav (JDU) is contesting again.

Prestige Battle in Munger Division

Munger division has turned into a prestige contest, with both Deputy Chief Ministers in the fray — Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai.
RJD has fielded Arun Kumar in Tarapur, while Congress has nominated Amresh Kumar from Lakhisarai. Despite a close fight in 2020, the NDA had managed to edge ahead. With Chirag Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha now part of the alliance, its base appears even stronger this time.

Nitish Factor Dominates Nalanda

In Nalanda, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home district, the NDA had won six of seven seats in 2020. The Mahagathbandhan has adjusted its strategy this time by focusing on Bhumihar voters through candidate selection.

Women and the Nitish Factor Seen as Decisive

Senior journalist Arun Pandey believes the NDA remains ahead in the first phase, as women voters — nearly 48% of the electorate — continue to silently support Nitish Kumar.
Another senior journalist, Gautam Choudhary, noted that the NDA may face tougher competition in later phases, especially in the Bhojpuri belt where Tejashwi Yadav and Jan Suraj hold greater influence. However, government schemes such as ₹10,000 assistance for women and the enduring “Nitish factor” could give the NDA a clear advantage in this opening phase.