India held local elections in the eastern state of Bihar on Thursday to choose a new regional government.

Millions of people lined up outside polling stations across Bihar in the two-phased vote for its 243-seat legislature.

Nitish Kumar, Bihar's chief minister and rival-turned-coalition partner of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was seen casting his vote in Bakhtiyarpur.

Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, a leading opposition figure, cast his vote in Patna.

The election came amid widespread public concern over unemployment, law and order, and alleged irregularities in revision of electoral rolls.

The vote is seen as a crucial test of Modi’s popularity and his alliance’s hold over one of the country’s politically influential states.

The results, expected Nov. 14, will gauge whether Modi’s National Democratic Alliance can sustain its dominance or face growing discontent over economic and governance issues.

Bihar, long seen as India’s political bellwether, has become a crucial test for Modi as he seeks to build momentum ahead of national elections in 2029 and key state polls in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam over the next two years.