As voting got underway in 121 constituencies in the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday, political attention once again turned to the seats that defined the razor-thin verdict of 2020. That election was one of the tightest in Bihar’s history, with several constituencies decided by margins of less than a thousand votes, contests so close that a handful of ballots separated victory from defeat.&nbsp;<h2>Narrowest margins, widest implications</h2>&nbsp;In 2020, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 74. The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] won 43, while NDA allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) secured four each. Eleven seats across districts such as Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Begusarai, Khagaria, Sheikhpura, Kaimur, Rohtas, and Jamui were decided by fewer than 1,000 votes, making them some of the most scrutinised battlegrounds again this year.&nbsp;JD(U) candidates had the narrowest escapes in four seats, Hilsa, Barbigha, Parbatta, and Bhore, while the BJP managed to hold on to Bachhwara and Bakhri by similarly slim margins. The RJD and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) also managed one nail-biting win each. In total, 52 constituencies across the state were decided by fewer than 5,000 votes, according to Election Commission data. Of these, the RJD took 15, JD(U) 13, and the BJP 9.&nbsp;<h2>Constituencies where every vote counted</h2>&nbsp;The tightest race of 2020 came in Hilsa, Nalanda, where JD(U)’s Krishnamurari Sharan defeated RJD’s Shakti Singh Yadav by just 12 votes, one of the narrowest margins ever recorded in Bihar. Both contestants are in the fray again this year, keeping the contest under the spotlight, especially as Hilsa lies in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home district.&nbsp;In Sheikhpura’s Barbigha seat, JD(U)’s Sudarshan Kumar won by only 113 votes but was later expelled and now contests as an Independent. His party has fielded Dr Pushpanjay in his place. Begusarai’s Matihani saw LJP’s Rajkumar Singh win by 333 votes; he has since joined the JD(U) and is again a key contender. Another tight finish came in Bhore, where JD(U)’s Sunil Kumar edged out CPI(ML)’s Jitendra Paswan by 462 votes.&nbsp;BJP’s Surendra Mehta secured Bachhwara by just 484 votes over CPI’s Awadhesh Kumar Rai, while in Bakhri, CPI’s Suryakant Paswan defeated BJP’s Ramshankar Paswan by 777 votes. In Muzaffarpur’s Kurhani, RJD’s Anil Sahni beat BJP’s Kedar Prasad Gupta by 712 votes, though Gupta later reclaimed the seat in a 2022 by-election. Independent Sumit Kumar Singh won Chakia by 581 votes and subsequently joined the JD(U), while in Parbatta, JD(U)’s Dr Sanjeev Kumar beat RJD’s Digambar Tiwari by 951 votes but is now contesting on an RJD ticket.&nbsp;<h2>Battlegrounds that still shape 2025</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>The narrow victories of 2020 continue to influence Bihar’s political equations. Many of those marginal constituencies are part of the current Phase 1 polling, making them crucial indicators of voter mood. With the same candidates often facing off once more, and margins in double or triple digits last time, even minor shifts in turnout or alliances could alter results.&nbsp;As the 2025 election unfolds, these finely balanced battlegrounds are expected to test party strategies and voter loyalties alike. If 2020 proved anything, it is that in Bihar, the difference between forming the government and sitting in opposition can come down to just a few hundred votes. &nbsp;

In 2020, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 74. The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] won 43, while NDA allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) secured four each

As voting got underway in 121 constituencies in the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday, political attention once again turned to the seats that defined the razor-thin verdict of 2020. That election was one of the tightest in Bihar’s history, with several constituencies decided by margins of less than a thousand votes, contests so close that a handful of ballots separated victory from defeat. Narrowest margins, widest implications In 2020, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 74. The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] won 43, while NDA allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) secured four each. Eleven seats across districts such as Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Begusarai, Khagaria, Sheikhpura, Kaimur, Rohtas, and Jamui were decided by fewer than 1,000 votes, making them some of the most scrutinised battlegrounds again this year. JD(U) candidates had the narrowest escapes in four seats, Hilsa, Barbigha, Parbatta, and Bhore, while the BJP managed to hold on to Bachhwara and Bakhri by similarly slim margins. The RJD and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) also managed one nail-biting win each. In total, 52 constituencies across the state were decided by fewer than 5,000 votes, according to Election Commission data. Of these, the RJD took 15, JD(U) 13, and the BJP 9. Constituencies where every vote counted The tightest race of 2020 came in Hilsa, Nalanda, where JD(U)’s Krishnamurari Sharan defeated RJD’s Shakti Singh Yadav by just 12 votes, one of the narrowest margins ever recorded in Bihar. Both contestants are in the fray again this year, keeping the contest under the spotlight, especially as Hilsa lies in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home district. In Sheikhpura’s Barbigha seat, JD(U)’s Sudarshan Kumar won by only 113 votes but was later expelled and now contests as an Independent. His party has fielded Dr Pushpanjay in his place. Begusarai’s Matihani saw LJP’s Rajkumar Singh win by 333 votes; he has since joined the JD(U) and is again a key contender. Another tight finish came in Bhore, where JD(U)’s Sunil Kumar edged out CPI(ML)’s Jitendra Paswan by 462 votes. BJP’s Surendra Mehta secured Bachhwara by just 484 votes over CPI’s Awadhesh Kumar Rai, while in Bakhri, CPI’s Suryakant Paswan defeated BJP’s Ramshankar Paswan by 777 votes. In Muzaffarpur’s Kurhani, RJD’s Anil Sahni beat BJP’s Kedar Prasad Gupta by 712 votes, though Gupta later reclaimed the seat in a 2022 by-election. Independent Sumit Kumar Singh won Chakia by 581 votes and subsequently joined the JD(U), while in Parbatta, JD(U)’s Dr Sanjeev Kumar beat RJD’s Digambar Tiwari by 951 votes but is now contesting on an RJD ticket. Battlegrounds that still shape 2025 The narrow victories of 2020 continue to influence Bihar’s political equations. Many of those marginal constituencies are part of the current Phase 1 polling, making them crucial indicators of voter mood. With the same candidates often facing off once more, and margins in double or triple digits last time, even minor shifts in turnout or alliances could alter results. As the 2025 election unfolds, these finely balanced battlegrounds are expected to test party strategies and voter loyalties alike. If 2020 proved anything, it is that in Bihar, the difference between forming the government and sitting in opposition can come down to just a few hundred votes.

In 2020, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, followed closely by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 74. The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] won 43, while NDA allies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) secured four each

Bihar Elections 2025 Phase 1: A look back at closely fought contests and key battlegrounds of 2020

Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections commences on Thursday (November 6, 2025) across 121 constituencies from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This election phase will play a significant role in determining the fate of several candidates eyeing for seat in the state legislative assembly.&nbsp;The first phase of the election covers 17 districts, including Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur.<h3>Are schools closed in Bihar today?</h3>Due to the Bihar election, all schools and colleges across the state will remain closed today. The move is intended to ensure smooth polling operations without any disruption from educational activities, as most of the polling is done in state government schools.<h3>Are banking services open in Bihar today?</h3>Banks in Bihar will also observe a holiday today as per the directive of the Reserve Bank of India. However, digital banking services will continue to function, allowing customers to complete necessary transactions while participating in the election.<h3>Are government offices closed in Bihar?</h3>Yes, government offices will also be closed today due to the assembly election. It will enable public sector employees to cast their votes freely without losing pay or facing penalties.&nbsp;Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) has directed employers to provide paid leave to workers on polling day to encourage maximum voter participation and safeguard the democratic process.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Bihar assembly election a “celebration of democracy” and requested the people to cast their vote in large numbers. “Today marks the first phase of the celebration of democracy in Bihar. I urge all voters to cast their votes with full enthusiasm,” he said in a post on X. He also applauded first-time voters, and reminded them that, “First vote, then refreshments!”.&nbsp;Voting for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections is set to be held on November 11, which will cover the remaining 122 seats. The results of all phases will be announced on November 14, deciding the political future of Bihar.

The first phase of the election covers 17 districts, which include Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur.

Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections commences on Thursday (November 6, 2025) across 121 constituencies from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This election phase will play a significant role in determining the fate of several candidates eyeing for seat in the state legislative assembly. The first phase of the election covers 17 districts, including Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur. Are schools closed in Bihar today? Due to the Bihar election, all schools and colleges across the state will remain closed today. The move is intended to ensure smooth polling operations without any disruption from educational activities, as most of the polling is done in state government schools. Are banking services open in Bihar today? Banks in Bihar will also observe a holiday today as per the directive of the Reserve Bank of India. However, digital banking services will continue to function, allowing customers to complete necessary transactions while participating in the election. Are government offices closed in Bihar? Yes, government offices will also be closed today due to the assembly election. It will enable public sector employees to cast their votes freely without losing pay or facing penalties. Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) has directed employers to provide paid leave to workers on polling day to encourage maximum voter participation and safeguard the democratic process. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Bihar assembly election a “celebration of democracy” and requested the people to cast their vote in large numbers. “Today marks the first phase of the celebration of democracy in Bihar. I urge all voters to cast their votes with full enthusiasm,” he said in a post on X. He also applauded first-time voters, and reminded them that, “First vote, then refreshments!”. Voting for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections is set to be held on November 11, which will cover the remaining 122 seats. The results of all phases will be announced on November 14, deciding the political future of Bihar.

The first phase of the election covers 17 districts, which include Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur.

Bihar Election 2025: Are schools, banks and offices open on polling day? Check here

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Bihar Elections 2025 Phase 1: A look back at closely fought contests and key battlegrounds of 2020

Bihar Election 2025: Are schools, banks, offices open on polling day? Check here