'Tawa se roti palatati rahni chahiye nhi toh jal jayegi': Lalu Prasad Yadav pitches for Tejashwi-led ‘youth government’; calls for end to NDA’s 20-year rule in Bihar

PATNA: Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav called for a change in government during the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday, criticizing the NDA government's 20-year rule. Both Lalu Yadav and current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cast their votes, with initial voter turnout reaching 13.13 percent by 9 am across 121 constituencies in 18 districts."Tawa se roti palatati rahni chahiye nhi toh jal jayegi. 20 years is too long! Now, for the youth government and the new Bihar, a Tejashwi government is extremely necessary," Lalu Yadav posted on X, sharing a picture of himself with his wife Rabri Devi and son

Tejashwi Yadav

after voting.Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exercised his franchise at a polling station in Bakhtiyarpur constituency with a small entourage.

"In democracy, voting is not only our right but also our duty.

Today, voting for the first phase of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections is taking place -- all voters are urged to exercise their voting rights. Vote and encourage others to do the same. Vote first, then refreshments!" Nitish Kumar wrote on X.The election covers approximately 3.75 crore electors across 243 seats, with polling scheduled from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Some constituencies have reduced polling hours until 5:00 pm due to security considerations.

Saharsa district recorded the highest voter turnout at 15.27 percent, while Lakhisarai showed the lowest at 7 percent by 9 am.Other districts reported varied turnout figures: Begusarai at 14.60 percent, Bhojpur at 13.11 percent, Buxar at 13.28 percent, Darbhanga at 12.48 percent, Gopalganj at 13.97 percent, and Khagaria at 14.15 percent.Madhepura recorded 13.74 percent, Munger 13.37 percent, Muzaffarpur 14.38 percent, Nalanda 12.45 percent, Patna 11.22 percent, and Samastipur 12.86 percent.Saran showed 13.30 percent turnout, while Sheikhpura reported 12.97 percent, Siwan 13.35 percent, and Vaishali 14.30 percent.The first phase will determine the political fate of several prominent leaders, including RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey, and JD(U)'s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Tej Pratap Yadav is also contesting in this phase.In the previous 2020 elections, which were held in three phases, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) secured 110 seats.The seat distribution in 2020 showed the Janata Dal (United) winning 43 seats, BJP 74 seats, RJD 75 seats, and Congress 19 seats. The JD(U) had contested 115 constituencies, BJP 110, RJD 144, and Congress 70.