NEW DELHI:
Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bihar assembly's single-largest party and the main opposition force, marked Diwali on Monday by announcing its list of 143 candidates. The move asserts RJD’s dominant position within the Mahagathbandhan even as tensions simmer among allies.
Led by Tejashwi, the party aims to unseat chief minister
Nitish Kumar, who has anti-incumbency as a negative factor after years in power. For RJD, long led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, this election is crucial, a battle that could define Tejashwi’s political future.
Decoding RJD's list and Mahagathbandhan equations -
The announcement came on the last day of nominations for the second phase, confirming that RJD will contest 143 seats, Congress 61, CPI(ML) 20, and the remaining few likely going to Mukesh Sahani’s VIP.
RJD scion Tejashwi will contest again from Raghopur, while several key names feature in the list, including Renu Kushwaha from Bihariganj, Anita Devi Mahto from Warsaliganj, and Mala Pushpam from Hasanpur. Other candidates include Sandhya Rani Kushwaha from Madhuban, Ritu Priya Chaudhary from Imamganj (SC), Tanushree Manjhi from Barachatti (SC), and Chandni Devi Singh from Baniapur.
Overlaps and tensions within Mahagathbandhan camp
In a sign of strain within the alliance, RJD and Congress have fielded rival candidates in several constituencies.
In Narkatiaganj, Deepak Yadav (RJD) faces Shaswat Kedar Pandey (Congress); in Kahalgaon, Rajnish Bharti (RJD) goes up against Praveen Singh Kushwaha (Congress); and in Sikandra (SC), Uday Narayan Chaudhary (RJD) faces Vinod Chaudhary (Congress).
Another constituent of the alliance, CPI too faces Congress in Bachhwara, Rajapakar, Rosera, and Biharsharif, while RJD is directly up against Congress in Vaishali, Warisaliganj, Lalganj, and Kahalgaon.
Caste arithmetic and women representation
RJD’s list clearly reflects its focus on the traditional Muslim-Yadav (MY) equation, with over 50 tickets allotted to these communities. Of the total 143 candidates, 23 are women, marking an effort to broaden the party’s appeal.
The party also handed a ticket to the late gangster-politician and former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin’s son from Siwan’s Raghunathpur, reinforcing ties to its old base.
Family rivalry: RJD vs Tej Pratap in Mahua
A key highlight is the battle for Mahua, where RJD’s Mukesh Raushan will face Tej Pratap Yadav, Lalu’s elder son, who was expelled from the party earlier this year. Tej Pratap has since launched his own party, Janshakti Janata Dal, and announced himself as candidate from Mahua, an RJD stronghold. The family feud adds personal drama to the already tense political equation.
Strongholds and familiar faces
Several incumbents and loyalists have retained their seats. A Yadav continues from Sonepur in Saran district, Lalu’s home turf, while Bhai Virendra from Maner and Ritlal Rai from Danapur also feature on the list. Both seats fall within the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Misa Bharti, Lalu’s daughter, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Alliance unity under question
Despite releasing its list, the Mahagathbandhan has yet to formally announce a chief ministerial candidate. While Tejashwi’s leadership is widely recognised, Rahul Gandhi’s avoidance of naming him as the CM face at a joint rally has fuelled speculation of unease within the alliance.
The overlapping seats and leadership ambiguity could end up benefiting the ruling NDA.
Bihar, India’s fourth-largest assembly, will go to polls in two phases -- November 6 and November 11 -- with counting on November 14.
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