Patna, Bihar: Counting for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is underway, with attention sharply focused on key constituencies across the state. In Gaya district, the Imamganj assembly seat has emerged as a high-profile battleground, featuring a direct contest between the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and the NDA.
This year, the seat is particularly notable as Deepa Manjhi, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, is contesting on the HAM (Secular) ticket. She faces stiff competition from Ritu Priya Chaudhary (RJD) and Ajit Kumar (Jan Suraj Party). Early trends indicate that RJD has gained a lead over Deepa Manjhi.
Counting Progress
- 9:00 AM: Postal ballot counting at Imamganj is complete. Election officials have started tallying votes from EVMs. Early trends are expected shortly.
- 8:00 AM: Counting began across Imamganj and other Gaya district constituencies under tight security. Ballot papers were counted first, followed by EVMs placed on tables according to constituency.
- 7:30 AM: Staff and security personnel were in position at the counting center, ensuring smooth operations.
- 7:00 AM: Election officials arrived at the counting center and set up tables for EVM counting.
Background of Imamganj Constituency
- Imamganj has been a stronghold of Jitan Ram Manjhi. He served as MLA from this seat twice before becoming Chief Minister and later winning a Lok Sabha seat in 2024, after which he assumed a ministerial role in the central government.
- Following his parliamentary victory, Manjhi fielded his daughter-in-law Deepa Manjhi, who successfully contested the by-election and became the sitting MLA.
- The seat is considered a HAM-Secular stronghold, with a significant Dalit voter base, particularly from the Manjhi community.
- Historically, Imamganj has seen fierce electoral contests: Jitan Ram Manjhi defeated Uday Narayan Chaudhary in both 2015 and 2020, while Chaudhary had previously won this seat five times.
Current Contest
- The election this year has seen a triangular contest.
- HAM-Secular: Deepa Manjhi
- RJD: Ritu Priya Chaudhary
- Jan Suraj Party: Ajit Kumar
- Early trends suggest RJD is currently in the lead, putting pressure on Deepa Manjhi to retain the seat for the Manjhi family.
The counting at Imamganj is ongoing, and the constituency remains one of the most closely watched in Gaya district, with results expected to set the tone for political dynamics in the region.
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