Bihar Assembly Elections: RJD finalises candidates as JMM withdraws

October 20, 2025

Patna: The political landscape in Bihar took a decisive turn as the nomination process for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded on Monday. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) released its list of 143 candidates, finalising seat-sharing within the Mahagathbandhan alliance. However, the alliance faced a setback as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) formally withdrew from the elections.

With the announcement, the shape of the Mahagathbandhan is now clear: RJD will contest 143 seats, Congress 61, CPI (ML) 20, and the remaining are likely to go to Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Key candidates include Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur, Lalit Yadav from Darbhanga Rural, Dilip Singh from Barauli, and Ram Vilas Paswan from Pirpainti (SC), among others.

Senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar cited political manipulation by RJD and Congress as the reason for withdrawal, stating that the party’s aspirations to contest in Bihar were thwarted. Meanwhile, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram filed his nomination for the Kutumba Assembly constituency, contesting for a third term as the Mahagathbandhan-supported candidate.

Purnea MP Pappu Yadav highlighted that voters from backward communities, Dalits, and minorities follow the ideology of Rahul Gandhi. In contrast, Union Minister and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan criticised the Mahagathbandhan over disputes on common seats, asserting that “there is nothing called a friendly fight” in politics.

Rashtriya Lok Morcha President Upendra Kushwaha expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the government comfortably, likening the NDA’s unity to the Pandavas in Mahabharat.

The 2025 Bihar elections will witness a main contest between NDA, comprising BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM(S), and RLM, and the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD along with Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPM, and VIP. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has also staked claims across all 243 seats.

Polling is scheduled on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14, 2025.