As the state witnesses over 60 percent voter turnout in the first phase of elections, the Samajwadi Party leader believes the Grand Alliance will form a government ensuring employment and dignity for all communities
PATNA – Political temperatures are rising in Bihar as voting for the assembly elections enters its crucial stage. The first phase, held on 6 November, saw a voter turnout exceeding 60 percent across 121 constituencies — the third time in Bihar’s history that such a high percentage has been recorded. The second phase of voting is scheduled for 11 November.
The fate of 1,314 candidates, including prominent names such as Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Samrat Chaudhary, has already been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) are confident of victory.
However, what has drawn national attention is a bold statement made by Iqra Hasan, a Samajwadi Party MP, who has predicted a change in power in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Iqra Hasan said, “The people of Bihar have made up their minds for change. We are fully confident that the Grand Alliance will form the government in Bihar.”
She added, “The people of Bihar have given the NDA several chances for development, but each time they were betrayed. This time, the people will not be deceived. They will choose a government that creates employment for their children and works for their welfare.”
Her statement has sparked wide debate in political circles, as she is among the few national-level Muslim leaders to have directly challenged the NDA’s two-decade rule in Bihar.
Taking sharp aim at the 20-year rule of the NDA government, Hasan questioned its record on employment and development. “The government talks about jobs in every manifesto, but where are those jobs?” she asked. “Even today, unemployment remains a major issue in Bihar. If the NDA had fulfilled its promises, why are so many young people forced to migrate to other states in search of work?”
She criticised the NDA government for what she described as “vote bank politics,” saying that the same slogans are repeated every election while ground realities remain unchanged. “People are still deprived of basic amenities,” Hasan said. “The NDA’s model of governance has pushed Bihar backward. Under the Grand Alliance, every section of society will get due respect and opportunity.”
Her remarks come at a time when opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Samajwadi Party, have intensified their campaign across the state. The alliance has focused its narrative on unemployment, inflation, and social justice, accusing the NDA of ignoring the real issues of common people.
Political analysts suggest that Iqra Hasan’s intervention has energised minority voters, particularly Muslim women, who view her as a strong and fearless voice in Indian politics.
Iqra Hasan’s statement also holds symbolic importance. As a Muslim woman MP, her voice carries weight in a state where communal politics has often overshadowed issues of governance and equality. Her call for unity and development-based politics has been welcomed by many sections of Bihar’s Muslim population, who have long demanded fair representation and justice.
“Muslims in Bihar have always been part of the state’s democratic process,” said a Patna-based social activist, Naseem Ahmad. “When leaders like Iqra Hasan speak up for employment and equality, it gives hope to the marginalised communities who want to see real change.”
Meanwhile, the NDA leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, have expressed confidence that the government will return to power based on their “record of governance and stability.”
However, the strong voter turnout and visible enthusiasm among young and first-time voters have kept the contest wide open.
As Bihar heads toward the second phase of polling, Iqra Hasan’s statement has become a central talking point. Her confidence in the Grand Alliance’s victory reflects a growing sentiment among many that Bihar’s political landscape could witness a major shift after two decades. “The people have suffered enough under false promises,” she said. “Now they want a government that listens to them, that respects their dignity, and that truly works for all Biharis — Hindus and Muslims alike.”
