RJD Fields 143 Candidates for Bihar Polls; Tejashwi Yadav to Contest from Raghopur Amid Mahagathbandhan Rift

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday unveiled its list of 143 candidates for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, ending days of suspense over seat-sharing within the Mahagathbandhan.

The announcement, made on the final day of nominations for the second phase, came after protracted negotiations with the Congress failed to yield a consensus. Party leader Tejashwi Yadav will contest once again from his stronghold Raghopur in Vaishali district.

Bihar goes to the polls in two phases — on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.

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Key Candidates and Strategic Choices

Compared to the 2020 elections, when the RJD contested 144 seats, the party will field one less candidate this year. Among the notable names are:

• Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur

• Chandra Shekhar from Madhepura

• Veena Devi (wife of Surabhan) from Mokama

• Uday Narayan Chaudhary from Jhajha

Party insiders say candidate selection reflects an attempt to balance caste equations and retain traditional vote banks in central and eastern Bihar.

Even before the official list’s release, RJD candidates had reportedly received their election symbols — a signal of the party’s intent to move ahead despite unresolved alliance talks.

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Congress Announces Six More Candidates

Meanwhile, the Congress released a late-night list of six additional candidates, taking its total to 60 seats announced so far.

The new list includes:

• Surendra Prasad Kushwaha (Valmiki Nagar)

• Abidur Rehman (Araria)

• Jalil Mastan (Amour)

• Tauquir Alam (Barari)

• Praveen Singh Kushwaha (Kahalgaon)

• Vinod Chaudhary (Sikandra – SC)

Earlier, the Congress had named state chief Rajesh Ram from Kutumba and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan from Kadwa, followed by Rishi Mishra from Jale.

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Mahagathbandhan Under Strain

The release of parallel candidate lists by both RJD and Congress has exposed widening fissures in the Mahagathbandhan. Despite repeated claims of unity, the two allies have been unable to finalize a seat-sharing formula.

Disgruntled aspirants from both parties have accused their leaderships of selling tickets and ignoring grassroots workers, a charge both RJD and Congress have denied.

Political observers note that the late-night candidate announcements and internal discontent could impact coordination on the ground during campaigning.

“The delay and discord within the Mahagathbandhan may cost them some momentum,” said a Patna-based political analyst. “But much depends on how quickly they project a united front in the coming days.”

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A Test of Unity and Strategy

As the nomination window closes, the RJD’s move signals a determination to go solo if required. For Tejashwi Yadav, the election marks a crucial test — not only of his leadership but also of his ability to manage alliances and expand RJD’s influence beyond its traditional strongholds.

With campaign strategies shifting daily and alliances under strain, Bihar’s 2025 assembly elections promise to be a high-stakes political contest — one shaped as much by coordination as by competition.