Bihar elections 2025: Mahagathbandhan to hold a joint press conference in Patna on Wednesday

Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnea said, "...Our leader did not give a ticket to any bahubali, mafia, chargesheeter...There is no place for any bahubali, mafia, chargesheeter in the Congress party..."

Mahagathbandhan to hold a joint press conference in Patna tomorrow. They will start their election campaigning after the press conference.

On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said, "Rahul Gandhi was only active in Bihar as he wanted to take maximum seats from the RJD by putting pressure on them. He has nothing to do with Bihar and issues of the state..."

On Mahagathbandhan, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said, "Mahagathbandhan was never united. RJD and Congress are fighting against each other on 11 seats. RJD always practices politics by treating everyone the same way and they have been treating the Congress like this for the past 20 years...What is the state of Congress in Bihar today?..."

Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said, "...I spoke to different people in various districts in the last 2 days. Voters have clearly said that they have understood Mahagathbandhan's game, that it could not take off and its engine failed before that."

On RJD candidate Sweta Suman, BJP leader Bindhyachal Rai said, "She hails from Uttar Pradesh who got married to someone in Bihar. But when you speak about benefiting from the reservation, you need to have the domicile of that state. In her election affidavit in 2020, that she is a resident of Uttar Pradesh and belongs to Chamar community. So, she can contest on a general seat here but if it comes to contesting on a reserve seat, she cannot. This what the Act says. Our candidate has raised an objection with the Returning Officer. I too have filed an application with the Chief Electoral Officer."

On his resignation from Congress, former Congress district President, Bachchu Prasad Biru said, "... I joined the party because of Rahul Gandhi, but after years of efforts and hard work in Saran district, we did not get a single seat here; therefore, I  decided to leave... Congress here is being controlled by the RJD..."

PM Modi to visit Karpuri Gram to kickstart NDA election campaign for Bihar Assembly Polls, BJP leader Shashidhar Jha said, "PM Modi will commence his 2025 Assembly election campaign after offering tribute at the sacred site of Karpuri Thakur Ji. BJP workers and all members of the NDA are enthusiastic and eagerly awaiting to hear the Prime Minister. Millions of workers are expected to gather, and the NDA alliance has made full preparations to ensure a grand and well-organised event."

PM Modi to visit Karpuri Gram to kickstart NDA election campaign for Bihar Assembly Polls. Samastipur DM Roshan Kushwaha says, "PM Modi’s programme is scheduled for 24th October, for which security arrangements are being overseen by the administration. Every effort will be made to ensure there are no lapses, and the Prime Minister’s programme will be conducted in a well-organised manner."

On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "Even during the Haryana elections, he was buying jalebis. This time, he is frying jalebis. May God keep him frying jalebis like this."

Jan Shakti Janata Dal chief and candidate from Mahua Assembly constituency, Tej Pratap Yadav, said, "Go and see in Mahua whose name is being praised… We will win and will celebrate."

On RJD candidates, Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin said, "There are 36 such seats where they are fighting against each other. There is someone fighting against the State Congress president too. They insulted the Dalit community. Opposition is demolished in front of the BJP's campaign and has no guts to get up..."

Addressing a press conference, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor says, "The BJP has built an image in the last few years that no matter who wins elections, it is the BJP that forms the government. A party that once called Jan Suraaj a spoiler and denied our existence is now the one most scared of us. They use 'Mahagathbandhan' to create fear among people. Now, people have the option to end the 'political slavery' of Lalu Yadav and the NDA. But, in the last few days, three Jan Suraaj candidates were either prevented from filing nominations or were forced to withdraw their nominations."

In Bhagalpur, Bihar, there was a major uproar ahead of the elections. After religious posters were burned, a particular community protested loudly. The police are trying to calm the people. Last night, anti-social elements tore down and burned the religious posters, and in the morning, when people saw this, they started creating a commotion. They are demanding action against the accused.

Sakaldev Bind has accused Mukesh Sahani of selling his party ticket. Bind, who until recently was considered close to Sahani, joined the BJP after filing his nomination papers. He alleged that Sahani sold his ticket to another person, which prompted him to leave the party and switch sides.

These are the 10 seats where Mahagathbandhan partners Congress Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress will be contesting against each other:

1. Bachhwara: Abdesh Kumar Rai (Communist Party of India) vs Shiv Prakash Garib Das (Congress)
2. Narkatiaganj: Deepak Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal) vs Shashwat Kedar Pandey (Congress)
3. Babubarhi: Bindu Gulab Yadav (Vikassheel Insaan Party) vs Arun Kumar Singh Kushwaha (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
4. Vaishali: Sanjeev Singh (Congress) vs Ajay Kumar Kushwaha (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
5. Raja Pakar: Pratima Kumari Das (Congress) vs Mohit Paswan (Communist Party of India)
6. Kahalgaon: Rajnish Bharti (Rashtriya Janata Dal) vs Praveen Singh Kushwaha (Congress)
7. Bihar Sharif: Omair Khan (Congress) vs Shiv Kumar Yadav (Communist Party of India)
8. Sikandra: Vinod Kumar Chaudhary (Congress) vs Uday Narain Choudhary (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
9. Chainpur: Bal Govind Bind (Vikassheel Insaan Party) vs Brij Kishore Bind (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
10. Sultanganj: Lalan Kumar (Congress) vs Chandan Kumar Sinha (Rashtriya Janata Dal)

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will begin campaigning for the Bihar Assembly elections from today. He is scheduled to address two major election rallies in Muzaffarpur in a single day. His first rally will be held in the Minapur assembly constituency, with the playground of Minapur High School chosen as the venue.

With Pawan Singh’s wife Jyoti Singh entering the fray, the contest in the Karakat assembly constituency has become more interesting. A three-way battle now seems likely. Jyoti Singh will face a direct contest against Arun Singh of CPI(M) and former MP Mahabali Singh of JDU. Meanwhile, Yogendra Singh of Jan Suraj is also in the race, making the contest even more competitive.

A shocking murder took place in Gayaji, Bihar. Subhash Kumar, from the Paswan community, was killed in a contract killing. Four hired killers shot him in the chest five times in quick succession, killing him on the spot. The assailants carried out the murder with ease and escaped, and they are still at large.

It is reported that Subhash’s father had a dispute over some matter with a boy from the same neighbourhood for the past five years. Following this murder, the election atmosphere in Gayaji has become tense.

Commenting on the Mahagathbandhan, RLM National President Upendra Kushwaha said, “They created a big fuss over SIR. But what came of it? Is there even any public discussion about SIR today? They were trying to stir an issue, but the public has already rejected them.

When Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar for fifteen years, Dalits were not allowed to become ward members. Not only women from Dalit and extremely backward communities, but even men were denied representation. When Nitish Kumar took office, the NDA government immediately revised these provisions. As a result, representation of backward communities and Dalits has increased, and they are now respected and recognised.

Who prevented Lalu Prasad Yadav from doing this? Now that power has slipped from their hands, they are resorting to enticements again, but the public sees their true nature.”

The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), a key member of the opposition alliance in Bihar, has released a list of 15 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. The party is aiming to strengthen its presence by focusing on backward and marginalized communities.

Announcing the list on Monday, VIP national spokesperson Dev Jyoti confirmed that party president Santosh Sahni will contest from Gaura Bauram in Darbhanga district. The party has fielded Naveen Kumar from Alamnagar, Ganesh Bharti Sada from Kusheshwarsthan, and Umesh Sahni from Darbhanga Urban. Read more

PM Modi is set to launch his Bihar Assembly poll campaign on October 24, amid ongoing confusion within the INDIA bloc. The opposition alliance’s uncertainty showed little sign of easing on Saturday, October 18, with just two days remaining before the nomination filing for the second and final phase of the assembly elections closes.

Jharkhand's ruling JMM on Monday announced that it would not contest the Bihar assembly elections, claiming the decision came in response to a "political conspiracy" by its allies RJD and Congress, which denied it seats in the Mahagathbandhan.

Speaking to reporters, senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar said the party would "review" its alliance with Congress and RJD in Jharkhand and respond appropriately to what he called a "snub."

The announcement came just two days after the Hemant Soren-led party had declared it would contest six assembly segments in Bihar on its own, following a breakdown in seat-sharing talks.

"The RJD and Congress are responsible for depriving JMM of the chance to contest as part of a political conspiracy. JMM will give a befitting reply and review its alliance with RJD and Congress,” said Kumar, Jharkhand’s tourism minister.

RJD candidate Satendra Sah was arrested on Monday immediately after filing his nomination papers from the Sasaram assembly seat in Bihar, officials said.

Police officials stated that Sah was taken into custody by Jharkhand Police due to a pending non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him. His supporters were reportedly unaware of the developments.

“As Sah reached the office of the circle officer to file his nomination papers from the Sasaram seat, Jharkhand Police arrived to execute a pending NBW. He was allowed to submit his nomination papers before being taken into custody,” officials said.

Just two weeks before the first phase of polling in Bihar, the INDIA bloc appeared to move from disarray to damage control on Monday, as allies began pulling out rival candidates in select constituencies. The RJD released its list of 143 candidates, dropping 31 sitting MLAs and introducing several new faces, while allocating 100 seats to its partners. The Congress announced candidates for 61 seats, and the Left parties — CPI-ML, CPI, and CPM — named 30 contenders. Meanwhile, Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) declared 15 candidates, leaving at least six constituencies set for friendly contests.