Bihar 2025 Assembly Polls: Campaigning for 2nd Phase Concludes Today, 122 Seats Up for Vote on Nov 11

As the sun set on Sunday evening, Bihar's high-stakes election campaign came to a close, bringing an end to weeks of fierce rallies, roadshows, and speeches.

The state is now gearing up for the final phase of polling on November 11, which will decide who holds power in Patna for the next five years.

Over 37 Million Voters to Decide the Outcome

The second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections will see voting across 20 districts in 122 constituencies. It is the larger of the two phases and could ultimately tip the scales in what has been a tightly contested race.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 1,302 candidates are contesting in this round, including 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate. Around 37 million voters are eligible to vote, comprising 19.5 million men and 17.4 million women.

The first phase of polling, held on November 6, recorded an encouraging turnout of 64.6 percent. Begusarai led participation with 67.32 percent, while Sheikhpura saw the lowest at 52.36 percent till 5 p.m. Election officials called the turnout "encouraging," highlighting a positive sign of civic engagement.

NDA Focuses on Continuity, Opposition Calls for Change

As the campaign ended, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan both claimed momentum. The NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), projected the voter enthusiasm as a sign of public faith in the current leadership. The BJP hailed the turnout as proof of "pro-incumbency" and confidence in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's governance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing several rallies, said the voter response was a "reflection of public trust in the track record of Narendra and Nitish." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also made a strong pitch on Friday, holding three rallies and a massive roadshow in what became the NDA's final outreach before silence period began.

Meanwhile, the Congress and RJD-led Mahagathbandhan painted a different picture, claiming dissatisfaction among voters. The Congress asserted that "12 out of 15 ministers" contesting in the first phase were likely to lose, signaling what it described as a clear anti-incumbency wave.

Bihar Awaits Verdict on November 14

As campaign flags are lowered and microphones go silent, Bihar enters a period of reflection before polling day. All eyes now turn to November 11, when millions will cast their votes in the decisive final phase.

The results will be declared on November 14, revealing whether Nitish Kumar's alliance maintains its hold or if the opposition can script a comeback. For Bihar's voters, the coming week marks the culmination of one of the state's most closely watched elections in years.