The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections began today, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts. The remaining 122 seats will go to polls on November 11. This phase features many big political names and some interesting contests.

Tejashwi Yadav

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Chief Ministerial face of the opposition alliance, is contesting again from Raghopur, his family’s stronghold. His main opponent is BJP’s Satish Kumar. The seat has mostly remained with the RJD since 1995, except between 2010 and 2015. Tejashwi has promised a government job for one member of every household, a major highlight of his campaign.

Tej Pratap Yadav

His elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, who recently formed his own party, the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), is contesting from Mahua. He faces RJD’s Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJP’s Sanjay Singh. Tej Pratap parted ways with his family after personal issues and has now teamed up with five smaller regional parties.

Maithili Thakur

Popular folk singer Maithili Thakur is contesting her first election from Alinagar in Darbhanga as a BJP candidate. She joined politics in October, saying she wants to promote Bihar’s culture. Maithili will face RJD’s Binod Mishra and Jan Suraaj Party’s Biplaw Kumar Chowdhary. The BJP hopes her popularity among youth will boost its chances in the Mithilanchal region.

Samrat Choudhary

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, also from the BJP, is contesting from Tarapur in Munger after 15 years. His rival is RJD’s Arun Shah. The seat is mainly dominated by backward caste voters. The state’s other Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, is seeking re-election from Lakhisarai, where he has been MLA since 2010. He faces Jan Suraaj Party’s Suraj Kumar. The seat is considered a BJP stronghold.

 Khesari Lal Yadav

Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav is contesting from Chhapra on an RJD ticket. His main rival is BJP’s Chhoti Kumari, while Independent Rakhi Gupta has also entered the race. In Karakat, Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh’s wife,

Jyoti Singh

Jyoti Singh, is running as an Independent. Her personal disputes with her husband Pawan Singh had made news recently. She faces CPI-ML’s Arun Kumar Singh and JD(U)’s Mahabali Singh. With star power, family rivalries, and new faces in the fray, the first phase of the Bihar elections promises to be an exciting and closely watched battle.