nda-mahagathbandhan-lock-horns-in-bihar-by-elections

By polling is underway across four assembly constituencies in Bihar, with a voter turnout of 22.28 per cent recorded as of 11 a.m., according to an Election Commission official. 

Voting, scheduled to continue until 6 p.m., is slightly shortened to 4 p.m. at select polling stations in Imamganj.

As per EC data, Belaganj has recorded the highest turnout at 24.81 per cent, closely followed by Imamganj at 23.25 per cent, Ramgarh at 21.56 per cent, and Tarari at 19.6 per cent.

Over 12 lakh voters, including 5.73 lakh women and 19 individuals from the third gender, will decide the fate of 38 candidates competing across these constituencies.

A notable 631 voters are over 100 years old, while more than 11,500 are above 85.

All seats in this by-election are located south of the Ganga and have traditionally been strongholds of the Mahagathbandhan, the state-level coalition of the INDIA bloc, which includes the RJD, Left parties, and Congress.

However, a strong challenge is being mounted by the NDA, with the BJP contesting Tarari and Ramgarh.

 

The ruling alliance is also contending with Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party, which has fielded candidates in all four seats, potentially altering traditional voting patterns.

Each constituency presents unique electoral dynamics. In Imamganj, a reserved seat, the by-election was triggered when former MLA Jitan Ram Manjhi was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gaya.

The Hindustani Awam Morcha, a party founded by Manjhi, has nominated Deepa, wife of his son and current Bihar minister Santosh Suman, seeking to retain the seat within the family.

In Belaganj, the RJD's Vishwanath Kumar Singh is contesting to maintain his late father Surendra Prasad Yadav’s legacy, as Yadav has held the seat multiple times before being elected to Parliament from Jehanabad.

The JD(U) has fielded former MLC Manorama Devi as its candidate, while Jan Suraaj’s entry with candidate Mohd Amjad could affect the minority votes, splitting support traditionally aligned with Mahagathbandhan.

The by-elections carry heightened significance for both alliances as they prepare for the forthcoming assembly elections in 2025. The results will be declared on 23 November.