Both NDA and Mahagathbandhan are looking for a decisive lead in Bihar as 121 assembly constituencies across 18 districts vote in the first phase of elections on Thursday.
While Mahagathbandhan faces new political challenges, NDA is desperate to regain its lost ground with the return of its two old allies - Union minister Chirag Paswan-headed Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-headed Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
LJP's decision to go alone in 2020 polls hit the performance of NDA, particularly chief minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) in this region as the alliance won 59 seats against Mahagathbandhan's tally of 61. LJP, contesting on its own, won the Matihani (Begusarai) seat in 2020.
In 2020, BJP won 32 seats in the regions voting on Thursday while its allies JDU won 23 and Vikassheel Insaan Party - which has now joined the Opposition alliance - bagged four.
In Mahagathbandhan, RJD won 42 seats (out of the total 75 it won in 2020), followed by Congress (8), CPI (ML)(L) (7), and CPI and CPM (2 each).
In the first phase, JDU has fielded 57 candidates (out of the total 101 seats it got in its share in the NDA camp) while BJP has 48 candidates. LJP (RV) is trying its luck in 14 seats and RLM in two.
RJD and Congress have fielded candidates on 73 and 24 seats, respectively, while CPI (ML) (L) is trying its luck in 14 constituencies.
CPI (ML) (L), which has emerged as a powerful force within the Left, aims to improve its strike rate to increase its tally from seven last time. Seats it could not win in 2020 include Ara (Bhojpur), Pali, Digha (Patna), Daraunda (Siwan), Bhore (Gopalganj), Warisnagar and Kalyanpur (Samastipur).
NDA's plan is to avoid the chances, if any, of cracks in its base among MBC and women voters. It hopes to benefit from the recent launch of Mahila Rojgar Yojana by the state government, giving ₹10,000 as the first instalment to one woman from each family.
This phase will also test the popularity of Paswan among the SC voters as an ally of NDA while Kushwaha's influence over the Kushwaha voters is also under watch.
This phase will decide the fate of several top leaders of both the camps. While deputy CMs Samrat Choudhari and Vijay Sinha are trying their luck in Tarapur (Munger) and Lakhsarai, respectively, Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is in fray in Raghopur.
Besides, 14 state ministers will test their popularity. Voters will also decide the fate of former Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav of BJP in Danapur seat.
While Mahagathbandhan faces new political challenges, NDA is desperate to regain its lost ground with the return of its two old allies - Union minister Chirag Paswan-headed Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-headed Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
LJP's decision to go alone in 2020 polls hit the performance of NDA, particularly chief minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) in this region as the alliance won 59 seats against Mahagathbandhan's tally of 61. LJP, contesting on its own, won the Matihani (Begusarai) seat in 2020.
In 2020, BJP won 32 seats in the regions voting on Thursday while its allies JDU won 23 and Vikassheel Insaan Party - which has now joined the Opposition alliance - bagged four.
In Mahagathbandhan, RJD won 42 seats (out of the total 75 it won in 2020), followed by Congress (8), CPI (ML)(L) (7), and CPI and CPM (2 each).
In the first phase, JDU has fielded 57 candidates (out of the total 101 seats it got in its share in the NDA camp) while BJP has 48 candidates. LJP (RV) is trying its luck in 14 seats and RLM in two.
RJD and Congress have fielded candidates on 73 and 24 seats, respectively, while CPI (ML) (L) is trying its luck in 14 constituencies.
CPI (ML) (L), which has emerged as a powerful force within the Left, aims to improve its strike rate to increase its tally from seven last time. Seats it could not win in 2020 include Ara (Bhojpur), Pali, Digha (Patna), Daraunda (Siwan), Bhore (Gopalganj), Warisnagar and Kalyanpur (Samastipur).
NDA's plan is to avoid the chances, if any, of cracks in its base among MBC and women voters. It hopes to benefit from the recent launch of Mahila Rojgar Yojana by the state government, giving ₹10,000 as the first instalment to one woman from each family.
This phase will also test the popularity of Paswan among the SC voters as an ally of NDA while Kushwaha's influence over the Kushwaha voters is also under watch.
This phase will decide the fate of several top leaders of both the camps. While deputy CMs Samrat Choudhari and Vijay Sinha are trying their luck in Tarapur (Munger) and Lakhsarai, respectively, Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is in fray in Raghopur.
Besides, 14 state ministers will test their popularity. Voters will also decide the fate of former Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav of BJP in Danapur seat.
