Bihar’s first phase of voting in the 2025 assembly election saw 13% turnout by 10 am, as leaders from all major parties stepped out to cast their votes. The big moment of the morning came when the Yadav family arrived together at a polling booth in Patna — except Tej Pratap Yadav, who was notably missing from the picture.

The absence of Tej Pratap, contesting independently from Mahua under his own Janshakti Janta Dal banner, added a fresh spark to Bihar’s political buzz. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, his father Lalu Prasad Yadav, mother Rabri Devi, and sisters Misa Bharti and Rohini Acharya all voted and posed together for media cameras, symbolizing unity in the RJD camp.

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Tej Pratap’s Absence Sparks Speculation Amid Yadav Family Unity Show

The missing elder son from the Yadav photo created waves across social media and political circles. For many, it was more than just a family moment — it reflected the visible split in one of Bihar’s most powerful political dynasties. Tejashwi Yadav is aiming for a third straight win from Raghopur, while Tej Pratap is contesting separately after forming his new political outfit earlier this year.

Despite the family’s silence on the matter, voters seemed curious about whether this divide would affect the RJD’s performance in the 2025 polls.

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Nitish Kumar, Mukesh Sahani Among Early Voters

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cast his vote in Bakhtiarpur, his home turf, at Manju Sinha Project Girls’ Higher Secondary School. He appeared calm and confident, briefly greeting reporters before entering the polling booth.

Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani also voted in Gaura Bauram with his family. Speaking after voting, he said every citizen must exercise their right to vote, stressing that Bihar’s future depends on the participation of its people.

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CEC Monitors Polls, Calls It a Smooth Start

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his team kept a close eye on the polling process from the ECI monitoring room. He praised the arrangements, noting that the first phase had begun smoothly with very few technical issues in EVMs. Around 3.75 crore voters are eligible in this phase, covering 121 constituencies across the state.

Saharsa reported the highest voter turnout in the early hours at 15.27%, followed by Vaishali and Siwan. Patna, on the other hand, saw one of the lowest turnouts at around 11%, reflecting the usual slow start urban regions tend to have in morning hours.

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A Tight Contest: NDA, Mahagathbandhan, and Jan Suraaj Battle for Bihar

This year’s Bihar election is shaping into a triangular fight. On one side stands the NDA led by BJP and JD(U), while the Mahagathbandhan unites RJD and Congress once again. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, though new, is gaining attention among young voters with its message of clean politics and people-first governance.

Every major party has a lot riding on this election. For Tejashwi Yadav, it’s a test of leadership and legacy. For Nitish Kumar, it’s about maintaining credibility after multiple political shifts. And for Prashant Kishor, it’s about proving whether his strategic brilliance can translate into votes on the ground.

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The Mood on Ground: Hope, Division, and Determination

Across Bihar, the energy around the first phase was visible. Long queues formed outside polling stations early morning despite the chill. Many first-time voters said they came out because they wanted “real change” this time. Others spoke about development, jobs, and peace as top priorities.

While the Yadav family photo might have drawn more clicks, the real story is about Bihar’s people — hopeful, opinionated, and ready to shape their state’s future with each vote.