Bihar Election LIVE: JD(U), LJP(RV), and RLM unveil candidate lists; NDA finalizes names for all 243 seats

After days of tense talks, the Mahagatbandhan finally sealed its seat-sharing deal late Thursday, just hours before the deadline for filing nominations for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly election. The discussions stretched through the day as allies haggled over numbers and constituencies.

The breakthrough came after multiple rounds of meetings between RJD, Congress, and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Sources said the alliance leaders worked till late evening to avoid a last-minute collapse. For much of the day, speculation grew that Sahani might quit the bloc after disagreements over his seat quota. However, intervention from senior RJD leaders helped bring him back to the table.

Congress later released its first list of 48 candidates for the upcoming polls. The party retained State President Rajesh Ram from Kutumba and Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan from Kadwa. It also fielded five women candidates, aiming to project an inclusive image. The list reflected the party’s attempt to balance caste and regional factors while retaining its key sitting MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) prepared to announce its own list following the final agreement. Alliance insiders said both parties compromised on a few seats to maintain unity against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The late-night consensus averted what could have been a major embarrassment for the opposition bloc ahead of the nomination deadline.

While the Mahagatbandhan resolved its internal rift, the NDA moved swiftly to wrap up its preparations. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) released its second and final list of 44 candidates, completing its share of 119 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had already declared its nominees earlier this week.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) also announced their remaining candidates on Thursday. With this, the NDA finalized its slate for all 243 constituencies, signaling a united front for the polls. Party leaders claimed that the alliance’s early readiness would give them an edge in campaigning and coordination.

Nitish Kumar held internal reviews through the day and emphasized grassroots outreach in his party’s strongholds. BJP leaders, meanwhile, focused on seat-specific strategies and coordination with allies. The NDA’s quick rollout contrasted sharply with the Mahagatbandhan’s prolonged negotiations, which nearly pushed the alliance into crisis mode.

Political observers said the Mahagatbandhan’s delay reflected deeper strains between the RJD and smaller allies. “Seat-sharing in Bihar always comes down to the last hour,” a Patna-based analyst remarked, noting that each party tries to maximize its bargaining power before the final cut.

By Thursday night, both alliances stood ready to enter the electoral battlefield. With nominations closing for the first phase, attention now shifts to campaign messaging and candidate mobilization. The Mahagatbandhan will attempt to present a picture of unity after days of internal wrangling, while the NDA will project its preparedness and leadership under Nitish Kumar.

As the race intensifies, Bihar’s voters now have two clear political fronts — one emphasizing stability, the other promising change — heading into a high-stakes contest that will shape the state’s next government.