Patna: The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections saw political drama blend with emotion as the state’s most prominent political family — that of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav — arrived at polling booths in Patna to cast their votes.
The Yadav family’s appearance together came amid headlines about a deepening rift. In the run-up to the polls, Lalu Prasad expelled his eldest son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from both the party and the family, prompting the maverick leader to form his own outfit and contest independently. Both Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav, his younger brother and RJD’s chief ministerial face, campaigned against each other in what many saw as a public rupture of Bihar’s first political dynasty.
Yet, on polling day, Rabri Devi’s maternal instincts took precedence over politics. Before casting her vote, the former Chief Minister told reporters, “Both my sons are doing well. Tej Pratap is standing on his own two feet.” Her words were seen as a message of reconciliation — or at least of emotional solidarity — on a day when Bihar went to vote.
The entire Yadav family — including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, and Tejashwi Yadav with his wife Rajshree Yadav — voted at different booths in Patna. Tejashwi, who cast his ballot at the Veterinary College booth, said that the election was about jobs, education, and development.
#WATCH | #BiharElection2025 | Patna: On Janshakti Janta Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav contesting from Mahua, RJD leader Rohini Acharya says, “My blessings are with him. Do you not bless your siblings?”
She further says, “Unemployment is going to be eradicated in Bihar this time.… pic.twitter.com/kGZwctIeBP
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2025
Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav, after voting, declared with characteristic confidence, “There will be change this time.” His daughter Rohini Acharya, who voted earlier in the morning, said, “This election is for our working brothers who struggle in the villages for employment. I am confident that Bihar will elect a government that creates jobs and removes the double-engine government.”
Outside the RJD camp, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan also appealed for a strong turnout, saying, “I want a record voter turnout today. Everyone should vote unitedly.”
Addressing Rahul Gandhi’s recent allegations of “vote theft,” Paswan advised the Congress leader to take the matter to court. “If such information has come to light, approach the judiciary. You cannot keep undermining institutions while making baseless claims,” he said.
