The list puts an end to speculation that the RJD would field a candidate from Kutumba, the seat currently held by state Congress chief Rajesh Kumar Ram. However, despite avoiding a clash in Kutumba, the RJD has fielded candidates in several constituencies where INDIA bloc allies are in the fray
Leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav had filed his nomination for Raghopur seat on October 15. PIC/X
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday released its list of 143 candidates for Bihar Elections 2025, with five of them set to contest against candidates fielded by its own allies in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, news agency PTI reported.
बिहार विधानसभा चुनाव-2025 के लिए राष्ट्रीय जनता दल द्वारा चयनित प्रत्याशियों की सूची।
— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) October 20, 2025
सभी उम्मीदवारों को हार्दिक बधाई एवं विजय की अग्रिम शुभकामनाएं। #Bihar #RJD pic.twitter.com/QI7ckgoIQ6
The announcement came just hours before the deadline for filing nominations for the second and final phase of Bihar Elections 2025.
The list puts an end to speculation that the RJD would field a candidate from Kutumba, the seat currently held by state Congress chief Rajesh Kumar Ram. However, despite avoiding a clash in Kutumba, the RJD has fielded candidates in several constituencies where INDIA bloc allies are in the fray. The party will contest against the Congress in Vaishali, Lalganj, and Kahalgaon, while facing off with former minister Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) in Tarapur and Gaura Boram, PTI reported.
Among the prominent candidates are leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur, Alok Mehta from Ujiyarpur, Mukesh Raushan from Mahua, and Akhtarul Islam Shahin from Samastipur — all looking to defend their sitting seats.
Bhola Yadav, a close aide of RJD President Lalu Prasad, who had won from the Bahadurpur seat in 2015 but lost the election in 2020 to JD(U) leader and minister Madan Sahni, will try to wrest it back this time.
Former Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who lost the Siwan Lok Sabha seat to a JD(U) newcomer last year, has been re-nominated from the Siwan Assembly segment, which he currently holds, PTI reported.
Former education minister Chandrashekhar, who stirred controversy in recent times with his remarks on Hindu scriptures, has also been fielded again from Madhepura.
The party appears to have kept its traditional "MY" (Muslim-Yadav) vote bank in focus while selecting candidates. However, representation has also been extended to other backward castes and even some upper castes.
In terms of gender representation, the RJD has taken a lead over its rivals, fielding 21 women candidates — a number significantly higher than that of the JD(U) and BJP, the two main constituents of the ruling NDA, which are contesting 101 seats each.
While often criticised by opponents for allegedly promoting "jungle raj" during its time in power, the RJD seems to have opted for a pragmatic approach over image revamp.
Notorious figures continue to find space in the list. Don-turned-politician Bogo Singh is contesting from Matihani, and Osama Shahab — son of late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin — is making his electoral debut from Raghunathpur, part of the Siwan Lok Sabha constituency once dominated by his father.
Women candidates linked to strongmen are also in the fray. Former MP Veena Devi, wife of gangster-turned-politician Suraj Bhan Singh, is contesting from Mokama, where she will face off against her husband’s long-time rival Anant Singh.
Meanwhile, Shivani Shukla, a debutant with a law degree from London, is contesting from Lalganj. The seat has previously been represented by her father, the feared ganglord Munna Shukla, and once by her mother, Annu Shukla.
(With PTI inputs)
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