‘No youth will have to leave Bihar to earn Rs 10,000-14,000’: Prashant Kishor on strong voter turnout

Rohtas: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder and chief Prashant Kishor on Tuesday said that the strong voter turnout in Bihar reflected a growing desire for change, with hopes that the state’s young people would no longer be forced to migrate in search of basic livelihoods.

Speaking to reporters in Konar, part of the Sasaram Assembly constituency, Kishor predicted that the second phase of polling would surpass the record 65 per cent turnout registered in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.

“There is no slow voting happening. The voters of Bihar have shown that, post-independence, the maximum voting took place in the state in the first phase of this election. I believe voter turnout will exceed 65 per cent today, setting a new record,” Kishor said.

“This vote is to bring change and ensure education and employment for youth. It is hoped that after November 14, no youth of Bihar will have to leave the state to earn Rs 10,000–14,000. People are voting in large numbers.”

Earlier in the day, Kishor cast his vote in Konar alongside Ritesh Pandey, the Jan Suraaj candidate contesting from the Kargahar Assembly constituency.

According to Election Commission of India (ECI) data, Bihar recorded a turnout of 47.62 per cent as of 1 pm in the second phase of polling. Kishanganj district reported the highest turnout at 51.86 per cent, followed by Gaya (50.95 per cent), Jamui (50.91 per cent) and Banka (50.07 per cent). Madhubani continued to lag behind at 43.39 per cent.

Other districts recorded similar mid-day figures: Araria (46.87 per cent), Arwal (47.11 per cent), Aurangabad (49.45 per cent), Bhagalpur (45.09 per cent), Jahanabad (46.07 per cent), Kaimur or Bhabua (49.89 per cent), Katihar (48.50 per cent), Nawada (43.45 per cent), Paschim Champaran (48.91 per cent), and Purnia (49.63 per cent). Purvi Champaran saw a turnout of 48.01 per cent, Rohtas 45.19 per cent, Sheohar 48.23 per cent, Sitamarhi 45.28 per cent and Supaul 48.22 per cent.

Among key constituencies, Supaul recorded 47.66 per cent turnout, Sasaram 45.23 per cent, Mohania 50.97 per cent, Kutumba 49.68 per cent, Gaya Town 39.09 per cent, Chainpur 51.05 per cent, Dhamdaha 50.16 per cent, Harsiddhi 46.62 per cent and Jhanjharpur 40.63 per cent.

Bihar Congress president and Kutumba candidate Rajesh Ram, who arrived at a polling station in an e-rickshaw, urged voters to participate peacefully in what he described as the “festival of democracy”.

BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) performance, predicting a victory of more than 180 seats. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also welcomed the rise in voter turnout and voiced optimism about the NDA’s prospects.

Voting in this second phase is taking place across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, under tight security. The round will determine the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet, including JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (Supaul), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur) and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).

From the BJP, ministers Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur) and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi) are in the fray.

Other key battlegrounds include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj and Nathnagar.

The first phase of polling saw the highest voter turnout in Bihar’s history at 65.08 per cent. Counting of votes is scheduled for 14 November.