Bihar polls phase 1 ended with INDIA bloc still negotiating seats

Amaravati, October 17, 2025:

Nominations for the first phase of Bihar's assembly elections concluded Friday, with the Mahagathbandhan allianceencompassing RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI, CPI(M), and Vikassheel Insaan Party yet to seal its seat-sharing agreement, though leaders anticipate resolution after the Monday withdrawal deadline.

Congress released a preliminary slate of 48 candidates, including Rajesh Ram for Kutumba and Shakeel Ahmad Khan for Kadwa, while RJD has tentatively offered 61 seats to Congress, with overlaps in spots like Bachhwara prompting "friendly contests." CPI(ML) Liberation plans 12-19 seats, similar to 2020.

NDA partners JD(U) and BJP each on 101 seats, plus LJP(RV), RLM, and HAM have locked in their lists, with Nitish Kumar seeking a 10th term and Modi headlining star campaigners. Congress's Kanhaiya Kumar dismissed haste concerns: "Coordination matters more than speed." CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya attributed delays to the bloc's growth, not fracture, betting anti-incumbency trumps NDA's optics edge for November 6-11 voting.