Patna: Voting is underway across 20 districts for 122 assembly seats in the second phase of the Bihar elections, with steady turnout reported from several regions, including Gaya.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi cast his vote in his native village of Mahakar, Gaya, and expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure a decisive victory. “The NDA is receiving widespread support from the public. We are confident of winning at least 80 out of 122 seats,” Manjhi said after voting.
He attributed the alliance’s prospects to what he described as its record on development. “The NDA has given Bihar a new direction in roads, education and health. People want development, not anarchy,” he said, adding that women voters had once again turned out in large numbers in favour of the alliance.
In the first phase, voter turnout stood at around 65%, with women making up over 70% of the electorate. As of 3pm on Tuesday, polling officials reported a 60.40 % turnout in the second phase, with Gaya district recording over 62.74 %.
Manjhi’s party, HAM (Secular), is contesting six seats in this election. Among its candidates are his daughter-in-law Deepa Kumari from Imamganj, Anil Kumar from Tikari, his sister-in-law Jyoti Devi from Barachatti, Romit Kumar from Attari, Prafull Kumar Manjhi from Sikandra and Lalan Ram from Kutumba. Their electoral fate will be sealed in electronic voting machines today.
