Bihar Polls: Which Are The High-Stakes Constituencies, Contests In First Phase Voting Tomorrow?

Bihar is set to cast its vote in the first phase of the assembly elections on Thursday (November 6), which promises to be a riveting start to the electoral process.

A crucial phase, it covers 121 assembly constituencies across 18 districts, effectively setting the tone for the overall election outcome.

Several high-profile candidates representing both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan are facing the voters, including heavyweight leaders like deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, as well as opposition CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav.

Adding a layer of family dynamics, the estranged Yadav son, Tej Pratap Yadav, is also trying his luck in this phase with his own political outfit. Other significant figures include JD(U) state president

Umesh Kushwaha and Bhola Yadav, a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Celebrity contenders, such as the popular folk singer Maithili Thakur, who is contesting on a BJP ticket, and Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav representing the RJD, are also in the fray in this phase.

Here’s all you need to know:

Based on the prominence of candidates, electoral history, and local caste dynamics, several assembly constituencies stand out as crucial battlegrounds in the first phase.

Raghopur (Vaishali District): Tejashwi Yadav, RJD v Satish Yadav, BJP

Historically known as a family bastion of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s clan, Raghopur boasts strong Yadav demographics. It will see a high-stakes battle with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav going up against candidates of the NDA and Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party. The odds seem to be in favour of the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial face as he won the seat in the last two polls in 2020 and 2015 with strong margins.

Tejashwi will go up against the same rival in Satish Kumar Yadav of the BJP, whom he has defeated twice before. But, there seems to be a third entrant this time in Chanchal Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party. Satish Kumar, however, has previously pulled off a major upset against Lalu Prasad’s wife and former CM Rabri Devi in 2010.

Tarapur (Munger District): Samrat Choudhary, BJP v Arun Kumar, RJD

Tarapur, which has traditionally been a JD(U) stronghold, will see another high-profile contest. While the seat has consistently had straight fights between the RJD and JD(U), this time deputy CM Samrat Choudhary of the BJP will contest the election from this seat.

As part of the seat-sharing agreement, the JD(U) gave up this constituency to the BJP this time. It features a significant presence of Kushwaha, Yadav, Muslim, and SC voters. This prestige battle will take place between Samrat Choudhary and the RJD’s Arun Kumar.

Lakhisarai (Lakhisarai District): Vijay Kumar Sinha, BJP v Suraj Kumar, JSP 

Lakhisarai will be one of the most closely watched constituencies as it is the home ground for another deputy CM, Vijay Kumar Sinha of the BJP. A senior BJP leader and the current Speaker of the state assembly, he is contesting for a sixth term.

The seat is crucial due to caste factors like Yadav, Bhumihar, and OBC voters, as well as development issues. Sinha will be challenged by Suraj Kumar of the JSP, but the BJP has built a strong base here winning three consecutive times in 2010, 2015, and 2020 due to robust Bhumihar and upper-caste voter support. This is, perhaps, one of the safest seats for the NDA in the Munger region.

Mahua (Vaishali District): Tej Pratap Yadav, Janshakti Janata Dal v RJD v LJP 

Lalu Prasad’s estranged son, Tej Pratap Yadav is the one to watch out for in this constituency that will see a triangular contest. The fight will be fuelled by an intra-Yadav family feud as he goes up against a candidate of the RJD, his former party, but he has won this seat once before in 2015.

This time, Tej Pratap will have to fend off a challenge from incumbent RJD MLA, Mukesh Kumar Raushan, and Sanjay Singh of the LJP. He is contesting under his own outfit, Janshakti Janata Dal, after being expelled from the RJD amid allegations of political conspiracy levelled by him against his family members.

Chapra (Saran district): Khesari Lal Yadav, RJD  v BJP v JSP

One of the most popular faces in Bhojpuri cinema and music, Shatrughan Kumar Yadav aka Khesari Lal Yadav is making his electoral debut on an RJD ticket from Chapra.

Khesari Lal will go up against the BJP’s Chhoti Kumari, who has the patronage of Bihar deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, and Jan Suraaj Party candidate Jai Prakash Singh. The RJD, however, is hopeful that his wide fan base and popular appeal, especially among youth and migrant workers, will help woo voters in this significant district.

He drew a rousing reception upon his nomination, with supporters purportedly pouring milk on him and weighing him with coins. Another factor that may work in his favour is his humble beginnings as a street vendor selling litti-chokha in Delhi.

The Bhojpuri artiste, however, has faced charges of “vulgarity” with his opponents seeking to discredit him by describing him as a “dancer”. His songs have also been called “ashleel” but he has managed to counter this  by arguing that his career is separate from his political beliefs.

Chapra has historically been dominated by Yadavs and Rajputs. It has been represented by RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav four times between 1977 and 2009.

Alinagar (Darbhanga District): Maithili Thakur, BJP v Binod Mishra, RJD

Another interesting constituency to watch out for in the Mithilanchal region, it has garnered attention because the BJP has fielded popular folk singer Maithili Thakur as a candidate. The youngest candidate in the poll fray, she will face RJD’s Binod Mishra, who was the runner-up in the 2020 polls. The seat had long been an RJD stronghold until the previous election when the Vikassheel Insaan Party’s Mishri Lal Yadav emerged victorious.

Hasanpur (Samastipur District): Raj Kumar Ray, JD(U) v Mala Pushpam, RJD

Hasanpur is set for a direct fight between the NDA and Mahagathbandhan. While the constituency was held by the JD(U) for two consecutive terms before 2020, the dynamics shifted when Tej Pratap contested from the seat and won the last election.

Mala Pushpam of the RJD will face the JD(U)’s Raj Kumar Ray, who is an incumbent minister. Since Tej Pratap is contesting from Mahua this time, it remains to be seen whether the constituency will return to choosing Ray.

Harnaut (Nalanda District): Hari Narayan Singh, JD(U) v Congress v JSP

Closely linked to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for decades, Harnaut holds deep political significance as it was the seat from which he first entered the assembly in 1985. It remains a stronghold for his party, JD(U).

The fight is between Hari Narayan Singh of the JD(U), who is seeking re-election against Congress candidate Arun Kumar and Kamlesh Paswan of the JSP. He has tasted success from this seat in both 2015 and 2020.