Kharge Urges Bihar Voters to Choose Change, Calls Election a ‘Golden Opportunity’ to End 20 Years of Misrule

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday issued a strong appeal to the people of Bihar as the first phase of the Assembly elections began, urging them to use their vote as an instrument of change after what he described as two decades of betrayal by “opportunistic rulers.”

In a message posted on the social media platform ‘X,’ Kharge called Bihar—the “birthplace of democracy”—a state standing at a decisive crossroads. “Voting for the first phase of the assembly elections has begun in Bihar. I appeal to every voter of Bihar to exercise their constitutional right in large numbers and give the state a new direction of change after 20 years,” he wrote.

Kharge framed the election as more than a political contest—calling it a battle for the future of Bihar’s youth. He emphasized the urgent need to build a state where young people are free from the burdens of unemployment and compelled migration. “We have to build a Bihar where the future of the youth is secure and they do not have to suffer due to unemployment and migration,” he said.

Reiterating the Congress party’s commitment to inclusive development, Kharge stressed that equal rights and opportunities must be guaranteed to all sections of society. “Every section of society—Dalits, Mahadalits, Adivasis, backward, extremely backward, economically weaker sections, minorities—should have equal rights. We must create a new definition of social justice to enhance Bihar’s contribution to the nation’s progress,” he said.

Sharpening his attack on the ruling dispensation, Kharge accused the government of peddling corruption, misgovernance, and “jungle raj” under the false label of development. He said the people of Bihar now have a rare chance to hold the government accountable. “The conscious people of Bihar today have a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to those opportunistic rulers who have betrayed them by calling corruption, misgovernance, and jungle raj ‘development’ for the past 20 years. Do not let this opportunity slip away,” Kharge urged.

He also directed a special appeal to first-time voters, encouraging them to participate with enthusiasm and inspire others to do the same. “I especially appeal to the youth voting for the first time not to miss this opportunity. Exercise your right to vote for change. Please vote and encourage your friends and family to vote as well. Jai Hind, Jai Bihar,” he added.

Meanwhile, the first phase of polling began at 7 a.m. across 18 districts of Bihar. A total of 121 assembly constituencies are voting today, with 1,314 candidates in the fray, including 1,192 men, 122 women, and 758 third-gender voters.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), 3,75,13,302 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase. A total of 45,341 polling stations have been set up, including 36,733 in rural areas and 8,608 in urban regions. All polling stations are equipped with webcasting facilities, ensuring real-time monitoring.

As part of special arrangements, 320 model polling stations have been established, while 926 stations are fully managed by women and 107 by persons with disabilities, reflecting the ECI’s emphasis on inclusion and accessibility.

Polling will continue until 6 p.m. at general stations, while in six Naxal-affected constituencies, voting will conclude at 5 p.m. The districts voting in the first phase include Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Buxar.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place across the state. Police personnel, paramilitary forces, and special patrol teams have been deployed at sensitive and hypersensitive stations. More than 15 battalions of security forces are overseeing the smooth conduct of the polls.

As Bihar embarks on the first phase of its electoral journey, Kharge’s message underscores the high political stakes and the intense battle for public opinion—setting the tone for what is expected to be a closely contested election.