New Delhi: With just four days left for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on November 6, political activity has reached a feverish pitch across the state. Candidates are making their final attempts to woo voters through rallies, padyatras, and door-to-door outreach. A total of 1,314 candidates are contesting in this phase, which features several heavyweight battles. Among the prominent contenders are Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. High-profile constituencies like Raghopur, Tarapur, Mahua, and Lakhisarai have become the epicenters of attention as political equations, caste dynamics, and local issues dominate the campaign narrative.
Raghopur
Raghopur continues to be one of the most closely watched constituencies this election season. Long considered a bastion of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the seat carries deep emotional and political importance for the Yadav family. It was once represented by Lalu Prasad Yadav, who won in 1995 and 2000, followed by Rabri Devi, who held it three times. Since 2015, Tejashwi Yadav has represented Raghopur and is now seeking a third consecutive term. This time, he faces BJP’s Satish Kumar Yadav and Jan Suraaj Party’s Chanchal Singh, making it a three-cornered contest. Tejashwi had earlier defeated Satish Kumar Yadav in both the 2015 and 2020 polls with comfortable margins. However, the entry of Jan Suraaj Party has added a new twist, possibly reshaping the traditional vote equations. The constituency, part of the flood-prone “diara” region along the Ganga and its tributaries, faces recurring floods and poor connectivity that isolate villages for months. These persistent challenges—coupled with issues like flood control, bridge construction, road improvement, and education infrastructure—have become central to the campaign discourse.
Tarapur
In Tarapur, located in Munger district, the political equation has shifted dramatically. Traditionally a JD(U) stronghold, the seat now witnesses a direct clash between BJP Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and RJD’s Arun Kumar. Choudhary’s decision to contest here reflects a broader NDA strategy to expand its influence in regions once dominated by the JD(U). In the 2020 elections, JD(U)’s Mewa Lal Choudhary won the seat with 63,463 votes. This time, however, the contest is expected to be far tighter, as the RJD eyes gains in the NDA’s turf. The constituency has a diverse voter base comprising Kushwaha, Yadav, Muslim, and Scheduled Caste communities. A significant youth population and seasonal migration patterns, which tie household incomes to remittances as much as agriculture, make economic issues central to the campaign. Key voter concerns include agricultural distress, irrigation, education, healthcare, employment, and flood management in low-lying areas—all of which dominate the local political narrative.
Lakhisarai
In Lakhisarai, another high-profile battle is underway as Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha of the BJP seeks re-election. His main challengers include Congress’s Amaresh Kumar, Jan Suraaj Party’s Suraj Kumar, and Janshakti Janta Dal’s Sukhdev Yadav. While Sinha continues to command considerable influence in the region, anti-incumbency and the rise of new parties have added unpredictability to the contest. The constituency features a complex caste composition with OBCs, EBCs, upper castes, and Muslims, where communities like Koeri, Kurmi, Yadav, Bhumihar, and Muslim voters play decisive roles. Caste arithmetic remains crucial to electoral outcomes here. Campaign discussions have largely centered around employment generation, industrial development, road connectivity, and law and order. As a sitting Deputy Chief Minister, Sinha’s administrative record and grassroots reach will be key factors as opposition forces attempt to consolidate votes against him.
Mahua
The Mahua constituency in Vaishali district has emerged as another political hotspot, with Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, returning to contest from his former seat. Known for its strong Yadav vote base along with significant Scheduled Caste and Muslim populations, Mahua has become a battleground between the INDIA bloc and the NDA. Tej Pratap had earlier won Mahua in 2015 but shifted to Hasanpur in 2020. The seat is currently represented by Mukesh Kumar Raushan, who once again carries the RJD banner, setting up an unusual intra-family and intra-party rivalry. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, has fielded Sanjay Singh, making the contest triangular. Analysts suggest that Tej Pratap may not be able to consolidate the Muslim-Yadav (MY) vote bank that was once the bedrock of RJD’s strength. The Yadav vote could be divided between Tej Pratap and Raushan, while Muslim voters may remain fragmented among multiple candidates, including Independent Ashma Parveen, who has emerged as a wildcard entrant.
The Mahua contest will test Tej Pratap’s political standing, individual appeal, and organizational control amid visible factional tensions. The outcome here may also offer a glimpse into the future direction of RJD politics, particularly the generational shift within the Yadav family’s leadership. As the campaign enters its final leg, the first phase of the Bihar elections promises a series of high-voltage contests across constituencies. From dynastic rivalries and caste alliances to development challenges and youth aspirations, the state’s political theatre is once again bracing for a dramatic showdown on November 6, a date that could set the tone for the subsequent phases of polling.
