Bihar election phase-1: Key candidates, seats to watch out for
What's the story
The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will be held on Thursday; the second phase on November 11. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that all 243 assembly seats will be contested during these two phases. A total of 121 constituencies across 18 districts will vote in this phase. The results will be declared on November 14, just before the current assembly's term ends on November 22.
Voting details
Voting timings and special scrutiny
The first phase of voting will be held on November 6 from 7:00am to 5:00pm. The ECI has assured that voters in line at 5:00pm will still be allowed to vote. Voting will take place at 90,712 polling booths with an average of 818 voters per booth for smooth polling. This election is under special scrutiny due to the controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, with opposition parties alleging irregularities in revising electoral rolls.
Election landscape
Major political alliances and candidates
The major political alliances in this election are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by BJP and JD(U), and the INDIA Bloc (Mahagathbandhan) comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties. A new front called the Jan Suraaj Party is also contesting under Prashant Kishor's leadership. Prominent constituencies to watch out for include Raghopur, where Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD is contesting, and Begusarai, represented by Kundan Kumar of the BJP.
Candidates
Other key candidates
Other candidates in this phase include Tejashwi's estranged brother Tej Pratap Yadav, who is contesting from Mahua, and state JD (U) president Umesh Kushwaha. Popular entertainment figures are also in the fray, including Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav on an RJD ticket from Chhapra and folk singer Maithili Thakur on a BJP ticket from Alinagar. Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai) are also in the race.
Election details
Up to 1,314 candidates
In the first phase, up to 1,314 candidates are in the fray. During the campaign, key concerns like unemployment, migration, corruption, inflation, floods, poor education, and a lack of medical services were addressed. While the INDIA bloc portrayed the election as a fight for change, the NDA stated that people would vote to avert the return of 'jungle raj.' Bihar has 74.2 million registered voters, including 39.2 million men and 35 million women.