The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) made a significant announcement on Monday, October 20, 2025, by releasing the names of all 143 candidates who will represent the party in the hotly anticipated Bihar Assembly elections. Interestingly, this list includes five candidates who will find themselves in direct competition with nominees from other parties within the INDIA bloc, hinting at internal rivalries despite the broader alliance.
Demonstrating a conscious effort towards diverse representation, the RJD’s candidate roster features 24 women and 16 Muslim aspirants. This strategic selection underscores the party’s focus on inclusivity and appealing to a broad demographic.
The timing of the announcement was particularly noteworthy, coming just hours before the crucial deadline for filing nomination papers for the second and final phase of the elections. Such last-minute revelations often add an element of drama and intensity to the political landscape.
This release also served to quell earlier speculations that the RJD intended to contest the Kutumba seat, a move that would have ignited a direct confrontation with state Congress president Rajesh Kumar Ram, who currently holds the constituency. While this particular clash was avoided, other internal battles emerged.
Despite avoiding a showdown in Kutumba, the RJD will still face off against its INDIA bloc ally, the Congress, in key constituencies like Vaishali, Lalganj, and Kahalgaon. Furthermore, the party is set to compete against former State Minister Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party in both Tarapur and Gaura Boram, highlighting the complex dynamics within the broader alliance.
Several prominent figures are on the RJD’s ticket, including Tejashwi Yadav, who will defend his seat in Raghopur. Other key candidates, Alok Mehta (Ujiyarpur), Mukesh Raushan (Mahua), and Akhtarul Islam Shahin (Samastipur), are also poised to protect their current constituencies.
A significant comeback attempt will be made by Bhola Yadav, a long-time personal aide to RJD president Lalu Prasad. Yadav, who previously won the Bahadurpur seat in 2015 only to lose it to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) five years later, is now aiming to reclaim the constituency from the incumbent Minister, Madan Sahni.
Former Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, despite a recent defeat in last year’s Lok Sabha polls in Siwan against a JD(U) newcomer, has been given the opportunity to retain his existing Assembly seat, also named Siwan, indicating the party’s confidence in his local appeal.
Controversial former Education Minister Chandrashekhar, known for his outspoken opinions on Hindu scriptures, will also be contesting from his current seat of Madhepura, reflecting the party’s decision to stand by its public figures.
The candidate selection clearly prioritizes the party’s traditional ‘MY’ (Muslim-Yadav) support base. However, the RJD has also made an effort to include candidates from other backward castes and even upper castes, aiming for a broader electoral coalition.
As the principal opposition party, the RJD can proudly highlight its commitment to gender representation, fielding 24 women candidates – a significantly higher number compared to its primary rivals, the JD(U) and the BJP.
In contrast, the ruling NDA’s main constituents, the JD(U) and the BJP, are each contesting 101 seats, setting the stage for direct comparisons in candidate distribution and diversity.
Despite often facing criticism from opponents who accuse it of promoting ‘jungle raj’ during its past governance, the RJD appears to be prioritizing practical political strategy and ground realities over a complete image overhaul in its current electoral approach.
The party’s candidate choices also include figures with controversial backgrounds, such as don-turned-politician Bogo Singh, contesting from Matihani. Additionally, Osama Shahab is set to debut from Raghunathpur, a move clearly aimed at continuing the powerful legacy of his late father, Mohd Shahabuddin, who held the Siwan Lok Sabha seat for years until his disqualification due to criminal convictions.
Interestingly, women candidates are also stepping up to carry forward the legacies of their politically influential, often ‘strongman’ (bahubali), husbands and fathers.
For instance, former MP Veena Devi, wife of the renowned gangster-turned-politician Suraj Bhan Singh, is gearing up to challenge her husband’s long-standing rival, Anant Singh, in the high-stakes Mokama constituency.
Another notable entry is Shivani Shukla, a debutante with a law degree from London, who will contest from Lalganj. This seat has a strong family connection, having been won twice by her father, Munna Shukla, a formidable figure once considered one of north Bihar’s most feared ganglords, and once by her mother, Annu Shukla.