Patna (Bihar) [India], November 6 : Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav cast his vote in Patna on Thursday and urged others to come out of their households and participate in the polling process.
He further mentioned that the blessings of the public have their own importance; however, the blessings of parents also hold a special place.
"The people of Bihar must cast their vote. Every vote is important...The blessings of parents hold a special place, and the blessings of the public have their own importance," Tej Pratap Yadav told reporters.
Earlier, extending her best wishes to her sons, both contesting in the ongoing state elections, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi said, "My best wishes to both my sons. Tej Pratap is contesting on his own. I am their mother. Good luck to both of them."
Tej Pratap Yadav is in the fray from the Mahua assembly constituency. The Rashtriya Janata Dal has fielded Prem Kumar from the seat. Tej Pratap had previously represented the seat in 2015 as an RJD candidate.
A voter turnout of 13.13 per cent was recorded till 9 am in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India.
The highest voter turnout of 15.27 per cent was recorded in Saharsa district of the state among all districts, while Lakhisarai recorded a sluggish turnout of 7 per cent.
As of 9 am, a voter turnout of 14.60 per cent was recorded in Begusarai district, followed by 13.11 per cent in Bhojpur, 13.28 per cent in Buxar, 12.48 per cent in Darbhanga, 13.97 per cent in Gopalganj, 14.15 per cent in Khagaria, 13.74 per cent in Madhepura, 13.37 per cent in Munger, 14.38 per cent in Muzaffarpur, 12.45 per cent in Nalanda, 11.22 per cent in Patna, 12.86 per cent in Samastipur, 13.30 per cent in Saran, 12.97 per cent in Sheikhpura, 13.35 per cent in Siwan and 14.30 per cent in Vaishali.
Earlier today, Bihar deputy CM Samrat Choudhary cast his vote in Tarapur and said the development work carried out under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should continue and affirmed that Kumar will remain the leader of the alliance. He also expressed confidence that the NDA will return to power with a substantial majority.
Speaking to ANI, Samrat Chaudhary said, "NDA is coming to power with a thumping majority... In Bihar, a good government should be formed, and the work done by Nitish Kumar should continue. Bihar was transformed through a lot of hard work..."When asked if he would be the CM if NDA forms the government again, Choudhary said, "Nitish Kumar ji is our 'mukhiya' and he will continue to be."
The first phase of the 2025 assembly elections in Bihar commenced today at 7:00 am across 121 constituencies in 18 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.75 crore electors and 243 seats.
Polling will conclude at 6 pm, and due to security considerations, polling time has been curtailed to 5 pm in some constituencies.
The first phase will decide the fate of several senior leaders, including RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey and JD(U)'s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Tej Pratap Yadav is also in the fray in the first phase.
In the 2020 polling took place in, three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110.
Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) bagged 43 seats, the BJP bagged 74, the RJD secured 75 seats and the Congress 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, the BJP 110, whereas the RJD contested 144 seats and the Congress 70.