As Bihar heads into the second and final phase of assembly elections on Tuesday, 122 constituencies across 20 districts will vote in what is being seen as the decisive round for both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
After a record turnout in the first phase, the second round will determine whether the NDA can retain its traditional bastions or if the opposition can ride what it calls a “wave of change.” The key regions going to polls include Tirhut, Seemanchal, Magadh, and Shahabad — each expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome.
The NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), enjoys strong support in Tirhut and northern Bihar, while the Mahagathbandhan — comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties — holds sway in Magadh and Shahabad. Seemanchal, with its 24 constituencies and a complex mix of communities, remains the most unpredictable region, where parties like AIMIM and Jan Suraaj have turned the contest triangular.
In the 2020 polls, the NDA dominated Tirhut and Saran, while the Mahagathbandhan performed strongly in Magadh and Shahabad. This time, the ruling coalition hopes to expand its reach in these areas, buoyed by new allies such as Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM, as well as welfare initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.
A high voter turnout in the first phase has already fuelled speculation of shifting electoral moods. With both alliances evenly poised, the final outcome could hinge on how Seemanchal and Magadh vote today. Counting for all seats will take place on November 14.
