Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Congress Announces 48 Candidates Amid Tensions with RJD, Smaller Allies Frustrated

The Congress late Thursday released a list of 48 candidates for the Bihar assembly elections, capping weeks of intense negotiations with key ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The announcement, just hours before Friday’s nomination deadline for the first phase covering 121 constituencies on November 6, highlights internal discord within the opposition INDIA bloc and marks a rare instance of a seat-sharing conflict threatening the grand anti-BJP front.

The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), led by Mukesh Sahni, was allocated 15 seats after demanding 25–30, sparking frustration. Sahni is set to file his nomination from Gaur Boram (Darbhanga). He accused larger allies of “feudal bargaining” following the shortfall.

The Congress’ abrupt takeover of talks from the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC), whose leaders had struggled to reach a deal with the RJD, further escalated tensions. “The AICC stepped in because our state unit couldn’t navigate the RJD’s intransigence,” said a senior party source. Senior Bihar Congress leaders had hoped to contest at least 61 seats, including 70 they fought in 2020, when they secured 19 victories.

High-stakes discussions continue at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, particularly over key first-phase constituencies such as Maharajganj, Jale, and Narkatiaganj. Congress’ chosen constituencies focus on rural areas and regions with migrant labour influence, where the party performed well in 2020. However, RJD has staked claims over these and traditional strongholds like Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district. “We have waited long enough; these are our seats by right,” an RJD spokesperson said.

The Congress list, announced by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, blends veteran politicians with newcomers, giving attention to Scheduled Caste and Extremely Backward Class representation. The nominees include Jayesh Mangal Singh (Bagaha), Amit Giri (Nautan), Abhishek Ranjan (Chanpatia), Wasi Ahmed (Bettiah), Shyam Bihari Prasad (Raxaul), Shashi Bhushan Rai (Govindganj), Amit Kumar Singh Tunna (Riga), Navin Kumar (Bathnaha – SC), Nalini Ranjan Jha (Benipatti), Subodh Mandal (Phulparas), Manoj Vishwas (Forbesganj), Prof Maswar Alam (Bahadurganj), Shakeel Ahmad Khan (Kadwa), Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari – ST), Punam Paswan (Korha – SC), Sarita Devi (Sonbarsha – SC), Mithilesh Kumar Chaudhary (Benipur), Umesh Ram (Sakra – SC), Bijendra Chaudhary (Muzaffarpur), Om Prakash Garg (Gopalganj), and others.

Notably, Maharajganj, Jale, and Narkatiaganj remain unassigned, reflecting unresolved disputes with RJD. Smaller allies like Left parties are also unhappy over unmet seat demands.

Meanwhile, Pasupati Kumar Paras’s Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) exited the INDIA bloc on Friday, alleging “betrayal” in seat-sharing talks, and allied with AIMIM to contest 20–25 seats in Seemanchal and Magadh, potentially splitting the minority vote and complicating Congress-RJD prospects.

RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav is reportedly heading to Delhi for talks with Rahul Gandhi. A Congress observer said, “Unity is our only weapon; discord is (CM) Nitish’s delight.”