Bihar Assembly Polls: Second Phase Begins in 122 Seats

Voting began Tuesday morning across 122 constituencies in Bihar for the second and final phase of the state assembly elections, with approximately 3.7 crore eligible voters set to determine the outcome for 1,302 candidates. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m., covering 20 districts including Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Rohtas and Kaimur. The process unfolds amid heightened security measures following a blast near Delhi's Red Fort metro station on Monday that killed at least eight people, though authorities have not yet determined the cause.

This phase will decide the electoral fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet, including Janata Dal (United) leaders Vijendra Yadav from Supaul, Lesi Singh from Dhamdaha, Jayant Kushwaha from Amarpur, Sumit Singh from Chakai, Mohammad Jama Khan from Chainpur and Sheela Mandal from Phoolparas. From the Bharatiya Janata Party, contenders include Prem Kumar from Gaya, Renu Devi from Bettiah, Vijay Kumar Mandal from Sikati, Nitish Mishra from...