Amid the first phase of voting that is underway in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the enthusiasm among voters. Addressing a public rally in Araria district of Bihar, PM Modi highlighted the strong participation of women and youth, noting the long queues at polling stations across the state.
PM Modi congratulates voters
Calling the polls a vote for Bihar’s development, the Prime Minister congratulated voters and urged everyone to step out and cast their vote. He noted the enthusiasm among voters, highlighting “stunning pictures” of long queues on social media. The first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections commenced today at 7:00 am, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts out of the state’s 243 seats.
“Today, the first phase of voting is taking place to develop Bihar. Stunning pictures are coming from different corners of Bihar on social media. Long lines have been forming at polling stations since the morning. Mothers, sisters, and daughters are coming out in large numbers to vote. There is unprecedented enthusiasm among the youth of Bihar as well. I congratulate all the voters. I appeal to the people to come out and cast their votes,” he said.
PM Modi warns against Jungle Raj
Encouraging voters, PM Modi emphasised the power of their vote in this assembly election. He attacked RJD, citing the Jungle Raj that hindered Bihar’s development for years. PM Modi said, “Today, I am telling you about the power of your vote. Your grandparents, maternal grandparents’ one vote had made Bihar the land of social justice. But then, the 90s decade came, and RJD’s jungle raj attacked Bihar. Jungle Raj means – pistol, cruelty, corruption and misgovernance. These became the identity of jungle raj, and this became Bihar’s misfortune. Your parents’ dreams were crushed.”
PM Modi hails NDA’s efforts in Bihar
Speaking further, PM Modi praised Bihar’s development under the NDA government, highlighting the efforts of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in steering the state out of the so-called “Jungle Raj.” He emphasised that since the formation of the double-engine government in 2014, Bihar’s growth has accelerated significantly.
“In the NDA government, Nitish ji has worked tirelessly to pull Bihar out of jungle raj. After the double-engine government was formed in 2014, Bihar’s development has gained new momentum. IIT has opened in Patna, IIM has opened in Bodh Gaya, AIIMS has opened in Patna, the work on AIIMS Darbhanga is progressing rapidly, now Bihar also has a National Law University, IIIT is also there in Bhagalpur, and 4 central universities have also been established in Bihar,” PM Modi said.
First phase polling
Around 3.75 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the first phase. Polling is scheduled to end at 6 pm, although in certain constituencies, the closing time has been shortened to 5 pm due to security considerations. The first phase of the elections will be crucial for several senior political leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey, and JD(U) leaders Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Lalu Yadav’s son Tej Pratap Yadav is also contesting in this phase, making it a closely watched round of voting.
