Bihar assembly elections 2025: RJD releases list of 143 candidates

After the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations ended, 1,314 candidates remain in the contest for 121 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. A total of 61 candidates withdrew their nominations during this phase.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnea stated that people from backward communities, Dalits, and minorities resonate with the ideology of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. He emphasized that these groups are increasingly frustrated with issues like migration and unemployment, which drives their support for Gandhi’s vision.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, speaking from Gaya, Bihar, emphasized the government's strong vision for the state’s development. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister, efforts are being made to empower every individual in society. Highlighting plans for the next five years, Paswan promised a transformative phase for Bihar — focusing on industrial growth, improved education, and better healthcare. “We want to create a Bihar where no one is forced to leave the state in search of opportunities,” he said. He further pledged relentless efforts, declaring, “I won’t rest until I make Bihar first and Biharis first.”

On the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, “RJD is aware it will suffer a heavy defeat, which is why it is contesting more seats to try to salvage the party. The ‘Mahagathbandhan’ has completely failed and is riddled with internal divisions. The NDA is set to win decisively, with more than 200 seats in its favor.”

Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram announced, "Today I will go to file my nomination, and this will be my nomination for the third term. We are going to the election field again with the belief of development in our Legislative Assembly. We will campaign across the entire state of Bihar and also help the people."

Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan said on Sunday that incumbent Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is like a 'guardian' to him and he has learnt a lot from the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader. In an exclusive interview with India TV, Paswan clarified that he doesn't have an issue with Kumar, stressing that he is trying to forget what happened during the 2020 Bihar elections. Read the full story here 

Reacting sharply to the RJD's decision to unilaterally field candidates on 143 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Union Minister Chirag Paswan criticised the INDIA bloc, calling it fractured and directionless. "I have never seen such a thing in my life such a big alliance on the verge of ruins," Paswan said. He dismissed the notion of "friendly fights" within the alliance, warning that fielding multiple candidates from the same seat only benefits the opposition. "The Mahagathbandhan has effectively handed us a walkover on several seats that were once challenging," he added, signalling confidence in the NDA’s prospects.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan has reiterated his support for Nitish Kumar and said that the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader will be chose as Bihar chief minister once again by the elected MLAs after the assembly polls in the state. In an interview with news agency ANI, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) supremo said he wanted his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, to become a chief minister or the prime minister, stressing that every party wants its leader to become the CM. 

Tej Pratap Yadav, Rashtriya Janatal Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's elder son and Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) chief, has been booked for violating the model code of conduct (MCC) during the filing of his nomination papers from the Mahua constituency for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, the police said. While filing his nomination papers on October 16, Tej Pratap was seen using an SUV that had a police logo and a beacon light, the Circle Officer of Mahua said in his complaint, while adding that the video of the incident has also gone viral on social media. 

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has decided to withdraw its candidate from the Kutumba assembly seat. Suresh Paswan, who was earlier announced as the RJD nominee, will not file his nomination. 

The deadline to withdraw nomination papers for 121 of the 243 assembly seats scheduled for polling on November 6 will close at 3 PM today. According to the updated list released late Sunday, a total of 1,375 nominations have been accepted so far.

Dynastic politics, a recurring theme in Indian elections, has taken centre stage in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. A significant number of candidates in the fray this year are either children, spouses, or close relatives of established political figures, cutting across party lines. Read the full story here 

Jyoti Singh, wife of Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh, has announced that she will contest as an Independent candidate from the Karakat Assembly constituency. Her nomination is scheduled for Monday at around 12:00 pm at the Bikramganj Sub-Divisional Office, marking her formal entry into electoral politics.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released the fourth list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. 
Madhuban – Kumar Kunal
Sitamarhi – Rani Devi
Khajauli – Asha Singh
Phulparas – Gorishankar
Supaul – Brij Bhusan (Navin)
Amour – Md. Muntajir Alam
Pirpainti – Pritam Kumar
Kutumba – Sharawan Ghuia
Gurua – Schittanand Shyam
Gaya Town – Anil Kumar
Sikandra – Rahul Rana
Jamui – Ramashish Yadav