The second and final phase of Bihar Assembly elections is taking place on Tuesday across 122 seats, primarily concentrated along the state's borders with Nepal, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. In the 2020 Assembly polls, the NDA held a comfortable lead in these constituencies, winning 66 seats compared to the Mahagathbandhan's 49. The BJP emerged as the leading party with 42 seats and a 21.61 percent vote share, while ally JD(U) secured 20 seats. The RJD led the opposition with 33 seats and the highest vote share of 22.43 percent. The 2020 turnout was 58.64 percent. This time, seat-sharing arrangements differ, with the BJP contesting 53 seats and JD(U) 44 seats. The RJD is fielding candidates in 70 seats, while Congress contests 37. Analysis of the 2024 Lok Sabha results shows NDA leading in 79 Assembly segments among these 122 constituencies.
NDA's Strong Position in Phase 2 Constituencies
In the 2020 Assembly elections, the NDA alliance secured 66 of 122 seats in Phase 2 constituencies, establishing a significant lead over the opposition. The BJP won 42 seats with 21.61 percent vote share, while JD(U) captured 20 seats from 13.69 percent votes. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) added four seats to the NDA tally. Combined, the NDA achieved a 40.3 percent vote share. The Mahagathbandhan won 49 seats with 36.4 percent vote share, led by RJD's 33 seats and 22.43 percent votes. Congress secured 11 seats and CPI(M-L) Liberation won 5 seats. AIMIM captured 5 seats independently, BSP won 1, and one Independent candidate also succeeded. Recent Lok Sabha election analysis shows NDA leading in 79 Assembly segments.
Candidate Profile and Key Electoral Battles
Phase 2 features 122 seats including 19 reserved for Scheduled Castes and 2 for Scheduled Tribes. Among the candidates, 341 or 26 percent face serious criminal cases. The RJD's Dewa Gupta from Motihari has the most pending cases at 28. Crorepati candidates are prominent, with LJP(RV) fielding 100 percent crorepati candidates and JD(U) at 91 percent. VIP's Ran Kaushal Pratap Singh, contesting Lauriya, is the wealthiest candidate with assets worth Rs 369 crore. Key contests include former Deputy CM Renu Devi in Bettiah, former Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad in Katihar, and Commonwealth Games medallist Shreyasi Singh in Jamui. Five seats see friendly fights within the Mahagathbandhan due to seat-sharing disagreements.
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