The counting of votes for the Bisfi Assembly seat in Bihar’s Madhubani district has revealed a close contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). As the vote counting progressed, BJP’s candidate, Haribhushan Thakur Bachol, initially led with a comfortable margin. However, the race tightened as RJD’s Asif Ahmed gradually gained ground. By midday, Asif Ahmed had managed to surpass BJP’s candidate, securing a lead of 8,353 votes.
Early Trends and Progress in Counting
In the early stages of the counting, Haribhushan Thakur Bachol of the BJP was ahead by a significant margin. As the counting of votes began at 8 AM, the first half hour was dedicated to postal ballots, and by 8:30 AM, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were opened for the final count. Initially, BJP led with a strong margin, but as the rounds progressed, the RJD candidate, Asif Ahmed, began to close the gap.
By 11:13 AM, after the completion of four rounds of counting, the figures revealed a shift in momentum. Haribhushan Thakur Bachol had secured 14,257 votes, while Asif Ahmed of RJD was behind with 11,769 votes. Independent candidate Mohiuddin had garnered 576 votes, and Jan Suraaj candidate Sanjay Mishra had secured 435 votes.
The Contest and Key Candidates
This election has seen a total of eight candidates contesting from Bisfi. The prominent candidates include Haribhushan Thakur Bachol from the BJP, Asif Ahmed from RJD, and independent candidate Mohiuddin. The Jan Suraaj party, which was founded by Prashant Kishor, has fielded Sanjay Mishra. Additionally, Sonu Kumar of Jan Shakti Janata Dal is another contestant, but the exact vote tally for these lesser-known candidates will be clearer once the final counting is completed.
The contest for this seat is particularly significant as it represents a clash between the major political forces in Bihar, with the BJP and RJD vying for dominance. Haribhushan Thakur Bachol, a firebrand BJP leader, has previously held the seat and was re-nominated by his party to defend it. On the other hand, RJD’s candidate, Asif Ahmed, comes with the backing of his father, Faiz Ahmad, a former legislator and Rajya Sabha MP.
Historical Context and Previous Election Results
The history of the Bisfi Assembly seat is marked by intense competition. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, Haribhushan Thakur Bachol defeated Asif Ahmed by a margin of more than 10,000 votes. This was a decisive victory for the BJP, securing Thakur Bachol’s place as a prominent political figure in the region.
In the 2015 elections, Asif Ahmed won the seat, defeating Ralosp’s Manoj Yadav by a significant margin of 35,000 votes. Haribhushan Thakur, however, had contested as an independent candidate in that election and secured 25,000 votes, finishing third. This historical context highlights the dynamic political shifts and how fiercely contested the Bisfi seat is in every election cycle.
The 2025 Election Campaign and Voter Turnout
The 2025 election for Bisfi saw a voter turnout of 62.89% during the second phase of voting on November 11. The competition remained tight throughout the campaign, with the BJP fielding its popular incumbent, Haribhushan Thakur Bachol, while the RJD chose to nominate Asif Ahmed, hoping to capitalize on his family’s political legacy.
The high voter turnout was seen as a reflection of the interest and engagement of the local population, particularly given the intense competition between the BJP and RJD. This is a seat that has traditionally been a battleground for both parties, and the 2025 election was no exception. With significant political figures involved, this election has the potential to reshape the political landscape of the region.
The Significance of Bisfi in Bihar’s Politics
The Bisfi Assembly seat holds considerable political significance in Bihar’s political arena. The seat is not only crucial for the individual candidates but also for the political parties involved, especially in the context of state-level elections. The ongoing contest between the BJP and RJD reflects the larger political battle for dominance in Bihar.
As of now, the BJP’s Haribhushan Thakur Bachol is facing a strong challenge from the RJD’s Asif Ahmed. Both candidates have considerable support bases, and the outcome will likely have wider implications for the balance of power in Madhubani and even the larger political landscape of Bihar.
As the vote counting continues, it is clear that the Bisfi Assembly seat is one of the most closely contested races in the 2025 Bihar elections. While BJP’s Haribhushan Thakur Bachol led in the initial rounds, RJD’s Asif Ahmed has narrowed the gap significantly. The final result remains uncertain, with both candidates remaining neck-and-neck in the tally. The election outcome will be crucial in determining the future political course of Madhubani and its impact on Bihar’s broader electoral trends.
The competition in Bisfi is a reflection of the shifting political dynamics in Bihar, where both traditional parties are battling for control in a fast-changing political environment. The election results will be keenly observed, not just for the winner, but also for the implications they hold for the upcoming political decisions in the state.
