Bihar's Final Electoral Battle: Over 3.7 Crore Voters to Seal Fate of 1,302 Candidates
The second and concluding phase of the Bihar assembly elections is set for a decisive showdown on Tuesday, with the electoral destiny of 1,302 candidates hanging in the balance. This high-stakes round will determine the political future of prominent leaders, including State Congress President Rajesh Ram and a significant 12 cabinet ministers from the Nitish Kumar-led coalition government.
More than 3.70 crore eligible voters are expected to exercise their franchise across 45,399 polling stations established in 20 districts. The first phase, held on November 6, set a positive precedent with a record 65.08% voter turnout, and officials are prepared for a similar or greater participation in this final leg.
Key Contenders and High-Profile Races
Among the most watched figures in this phase are the dozen cabinet ministers whose fates will be decided. The breakdown includes six from the BJP, five from the JD(U), and one independent legislator. The BJP ministers in the fray are Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikti), Krishna Nandan Paswan (Harsiddhi), and Neeraj Kumar Singh Babloo (Chhatapur).
Representing the JD(U) are energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav (Supaul), transport minister Sheela Mandal (Phulparas), food and consumer protection minister Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha), building construction minister Jayant Raj (Amarpur), and minority welfare minister Zama Khan (Chainpur). The electoral battle also encompasses one former deputy chief minister and 30 former ministers, adding to the phase's significance.
Security and Strategic Border Sealing
Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal confirmed that all preparations are complete to ensure a smooth and fair polling process. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units have been distributed for the 122 assembly constituencies going to polls.
In a major security move, vehicular movement at the Birgunj-Raxaul border point with Nepal has been halted, with the border sealed for 72 hours. This is part of heightened security arrangements for the polls. Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar stated that a massive force of around 4 lakh security personnel has been deployed across all 122 seats to ensure violence-free and fair elections.
Regional Dynamics and High-Stakes Seemanchal
The 20 districts participating in this phase are all border districts, sharing boundaries with Nepal, West Bengal, Jharkhand, or Uttar Pradesh. Particularly crucial is the Seemanchal region, comprising Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Purnia. This area, with a high concentration of Muslim population, is a key battleground for both the INDIA bloc, which relies on minority community support, and the ruling NDA, which has accused the opposition of protecting infiltrators.
In Katihar, former deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad is aiming for a fifth consecutive win. The district is also a focal point where CPI(ML) Liberation's Mehboob Alam and Congress's Shakeel Ahmed Khan are seeking a hat-trick of victories in the Balrampur and Kadwa seats, respectively.
This phase also serves as a critical test for smaller NDA allies. Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), each contesting six seats, have their fortunes tied to this round. All six of HAM's seats are in play, with key constituencies like Imamganj, held by Manjhi's daughter-in-law Dipa, and Barachatti, represented by her mother, Jyoti Devi.
State Congress president Rajesh Ram is fighting to retain the reserved Kutumba seat for a third term. The Hisua seat in Nawada district boasts the largest electorate, while Lauria, Chanpatia, Raxaul, Triveniganj, Sugauli, and Banmakhi have the most crowded contests, with 22 candidates each vying for victory.
