Bihar election 2025 highlights: Phase 1 voter turnout gave ‘65 volt’ shock to Opposition, says PM Modi in poll rally

Bihar election 2025 live: Addressing a public rally in Sitamarhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent fishing attempt in Bihar, saying, “Even big leaders are coming here to see the fish. They are taking a dip in the water…practicing drowning for the Bihar elections. (Bade bade log bhi yahan ki macchli dekhne aa rahe hain. Paani mein dubki laga rahe hain. Bihar ke election mein doobne ki practice kar rahe hain)”

Modi’s remarks came after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, joined local fishermen in Begusarai to participate in a traditional fishing process as part of his campaign trail in Bihar.

Bihar election 2025 live: Responding to comments made by singer-actor and RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav from the Chapra assembly seat, BJP leader Pawan Singh said, "Let him be happy with what he says. it's a matter of 2-4 days more, when results will come. It is not right to respond to everything what he says... we will have to stoop low which we can't." Singh’s remarks came as the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 head into the final phase on November 11.

The counting of votes will be done on November 14.

Bihar election 2025 live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the NDA government under Nitish Kumar for restoring public confidence in Bihar.

Addressing a rally in Sitamarhi, he said, “The NDA government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar rebuilt the faith of the people of Bihar. Now, investors are eager to come to Bihar... Modi ki guarantee matlab guarantee pura hone ki guarantee."

Bihar election 2025 live: Addressing a public rally in Sitamarhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and contrasted their alleged priorities with his government’s development agenda.

He said, "In Bihar, it's fashionable to come here with a pistol and say, 'Hands up'... Now, there's no place in Bihar for those who say 'Hands up'. Bihar needs 'startup', not 'Hands up'. We're giving children books, computers, and laptops. Our children want to excel in sports. But the RJD is talking about giving pistols and double-barreled guns. These people want to make their own children ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Chief Ministers."

Bihar election 2025 live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent fishing attempt, highlighting the growth of Bihar’s fishery sector.

He claimed that the state has seen significant development in fisheries, while, “some people practising diving in ponds in state," reported news agency PTI.

Bihar election 2025 live: RJD candidate from Chapra and popular Bhojpuri singer-actor Khesari Lal Yadav expressed strong confidence in his party’s performance after the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.

He said, “We will get 100 out of 100 in the first phase. There's no one else... The government will change after Khesari's arrival," reported news agency ANI.

Reaffirming his support for RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Khesari added, “I'm Tejaswi's younger brother, and we've always received his love and blessings... I'll drive them all (NDA leaders) crazy within four days. I'll have them all declared insane.”

Bihar election 2025 live: BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy expressed confidence in the ruling alliance’s performance in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “Half of Bihar's election has already taken place, and in this, Bihar's Chief Minister has been decided. Based on the results of half the election that are visible, Nitish Kumar is becoming Bihar's Chief Minister again.”

Bihar election 2025 live: Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) chief and Mahagathbandhan’s Deputy CM candidate Mukesh Sahani expressed confidence in the alliance’s performance, claiming strong support from all sections of society.

Speaking with news agency ANI in Patna, Sahani said, “The youth wants change. People across castes, religions, and sections are supporting Mahagathbandhan. We will win more than 80 seats in the first phase. There is a wave of change in Bihar... There will be a definite change...”

Bihar election 2025 live: Congress leader Tariq Anwar took a dig at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, claiming that smaller parties like his would have no influence on the outcome of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Anwar said, “You see, the secular voters have already made up their minds, they are determined to form a Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government. There are many such 'votekatwa' parties roaming around in Bihar, but they will have no impact,” reported PTI.

He added that Owaisi had earlier harmed the alliance’s prospects in the state. “People have already seen last time that because of Owaisi, the Mahagathbandhan couldn’t form the government. He’s called a ‘votekatwa’ because last time five of his candidates won, and he caused losses in about 15 constituencies,” Anwar said.

Bihar election 2025 live: Purnia MP Pappu Yadav hit out at Union home minister Amit Shah, questioning his recent comments made during Bihar election rallies. Yadav said, “The same Home Minister who has always been accused of manipulation and deceit should first explain where the so-called infiltrators are. You claimed to have driven out the infiltrators, then tell us, where are they now? You haven’t been able to show even a single infiltrator or Rohingya in Bihar,” reported news agency PTI.

“Has the Home Minister suddenly turned into an astrologer? It seems he’s already started making random predictions," he added.

Bihar election 2025 live: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said that a wave of change is sweeping Bihar, asserting that none of the “self-declared predictors” had anticipated such massive voter participation.

On Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks, PTI quoted Kishor as saying, “‘Vote chori’ is not an issue here. Rahul Gandhi is doing what he should - fighting the Election Commission and the BJP - but that issue might be relevant in Delhi, not in Bihar. Why 'hijack' the Bihar elections when no one here has said that their names have been deleted from the electoral rolls?”

“Change in Bihar is certain. None of the ‘self-declared’ predictors had anticipated such massive voting in Bihar, but it is happening. PM Modi is attacking the RJD because he doesn’t understand the ground reality. People are saying it’s right that we shouldn’t vote for ‘jungle raj’, but why should we vote for the NDA when we have an option in Jan Suraaj?” he said in Supaul.

Bihar election 2025 live: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor criticised Union home minister Amit Shah’s statement about the lack of land for industries in Bihar, urging voters to question the claim.

“Earlier, the migrant workers were voting for the NDA... Today they are not. They want factories and jobs in Bihar. Amit Shah is saying there's no land for factories in Bihar. You people should ask him if there is no land for factories, then where did they get the land in Bihar to build the big roads connecting Punjab and Bengal with Gujarat? So if you want to build roads, national highways, then there is land in Bihar, but if you want to build factories for the children of Bihar, then there is no land here...” Kishor said while addressing reporters in Supaul, ANI reported.

Bihar election 2025 live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Aurangabad on Friday, took a dig at the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan alliance, claiming internal distrust between its partners.

“Even the Congress does not have faith in their (RJD) promises. Congress does not even talk about the RJD's manifesto. Bihar has also rejected RJD's package of lies,” PM Modi said, calling the alliance’s manifesto “a packet of lies,” ANI reported.

Bihar election 2025 live: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday addressed a massive election rally in Bhagalpur, declaring that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had been “wiped off” in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections.

“Yesterday, half of Bihar voted, and the other half of the state will vote soon. As per yesterday's voting in Bihar, Lalu's party has been wiped off....” Shah said, expressing confidence in the BJP-led NDA’s performance in the ongoing polls.

Bihar election 2025 live: Four voters in Bihar have been booked for allegedly taking photos of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during polling and posting them on social media, officials said on Friday, reported news agency PTI. The incidents were reported from Ara, Gopalganj, and Saran. These are the districts that went to polls in the first phase of the assembly elections on Thursday.

According to officials, two voters were booked in Gopalganj, while one each was charged in Ara and Saran. Police said the act violated the Model Code of Conduct and election laws. Authorities are also investigating how the accused managed to carry mobile phones inside polling booths.

Bihar election 2025 live: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar reiterated his government’s commitment to building a disaster-resilient state, highlighting major reforms implemented over the past two decades.

In a letter to the people of Bihar, he recalled how, before 2005, the state lacked systems to handle floods, droughts, and other calamities.

Nitish detailed the establishment of the Disaster Management Department, the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), and the setup of relief camps, community kitchens, and modern flood-control infrastructure as key steps taken since his government came to power.

Targeting the pre-2005 Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) regime, Nitish said, “Before the year 2005, no work was done in the state to prevent disasters. There were no solid arrangements to deal with floods, droughts, fires, earthquakes, etc. The people of North Bihar suffered from floods, while those in South-West Bihar suffered from droughts. However, the then government did not care about these issues at all. There was a severe lack of resources for disaster prevention. In the name of disaster relief, the government treasury was looted,” ANI reported.

Bihar election 2025 live: BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming his rally in Bihar failed to draw crowds.

“Rahul Gandhi's homework is useless. Nalanda University has been built, and Vikramshila University is also being built in Bhagalpur. His team is giving him wrong information. Rahul Gandhi's rally was a complete flop. The crowd has come to Amit Shah's rally,” Hussain said, asserting that public support in the state remains firmly with the BJP.

Bihar election 2025 live: As Bihar gears up for the second phase of assembly elections on November 11, former deputy chief minister Renu Devi said her focus remains on staying connected with the people of Bettiah.

Emphasising her grassroots engagement, she said she spends time “meeting them, living with them, walking on the same roads, visiting their schools, and sharing in their joys and sorrows.”

Highlighting the deep bond she shares with her constituents, Renu Devi added, “They are like my sisters and daughters, and who doesn’t care about their sisters and daughters? Everyone respects them. That’s why there has never been any complaint against me… I’ve never felt like I’m just an MLA, a minister, or a deputy CM. For me, it’s always been about serving everyone, and they’re always there for me,” news agency PTI quoted her as saying.

Bihar election 2025 live: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday lauded chief minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Bihar’s continued development support.

“This Bihar Assembly election is very important and positive for us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a massive package for Bihar, and over the past 11 years, the state has received immense support from the Government of India. Nitish Kumar is an excellent leader with a socialist ideology, and under his leadership, Bihar is progressing on the path of development,” Athawale said in Patna, reported news agency PTI.

Bihar election 2025 live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address public meetings in Sitamarhi and Bettiah on Friday as part of the BJP-led NDA’s final campaign push before the last phase of Bihar assembly elections.

In a post on X, Modi said, “My family members, who have taken the resolve of 'Developed Bihar', are going to ensure a massive majority for the NDA even in the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.”

He added, “Amidst this immense support, tomorrow morning around 11 a.m., I will seek the blessings of the people-public in the public meetings in Sitamarhi, and in the afternoon around 1 pm in Bettiah.”

Bihar election 2025 live: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday targeted RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, Shah said, “I just witnessed a surprising scene where Lalu ji is sitting with his son and he is giving a ticket to Shahabuddin's son."

"Lalu's son is seen raising the slogan of 'Shahabuddin Amar rahe'. People of Bhagalpur, have you forgotten the riots? Do you want that time to come again? Shahabuddin's son, Osama, is contesting in this election. If Osama wins, there will be riots again in Bhagalpur. If BJP wins, you will see development in Bhagalpur,” he said, news agency ANI reported.

Osama Shahab, 31, the son of the late RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin, is contesting his first election from Raghunathpur on an RJD ticket.

Bihar election 2025 live: BJP candidate from Jamui assembly constituency Shreyasi Singh on Saturday expressed confidence in the NDA’s prospects, citing strong voter turnout and public response. “The vote percentage seen, definitely all the voters are coming in favor of NDA... The atmosphere in Jamui district is in favor of NDA. The response to the Union Home Minister's rally was unmatched at any other rally. The entire venue was filled with new energy,” she said.