Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates: Mahagathbandhan to hold a joint press conference on Wednesday

Mahagathbandhan to hold a joint press conference in Patna tomorrow. They will start their election campaigning after the press conference.

"The fight for Bihar election2025 is only between the NDA and Jan Suraaj," says Prashant Kishor.

"There can be a friendly fight on some seats...The process is moving forward. We will hold a press conference shortly and the situation will be cleared...All the confusion will be cleared...Mahagathbandhan will contest the elections strongly," says Congress leader and ex-Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

Sharing a post on 'X', Sahani hailed Mahagathbandhan's candidate from the Gopalpur constituency and mentioned that the region's people are well acquainted with his struggles, dedication, and honest image.

"Shri Prem Sagar Ji, the valiant and grassroots leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, has filed his nomination from the 153, Gopalpur Assembly Constituency on behalf of the Mahagathbandhan. Prem Sagar Ji, who has always steadfastly championed the fight for the rights and entitlements of the people, has consistently pursued the politics of development, dignity, and justice. The people of Gopalpur are well acquainted with his struggles, dedication, and honest image," Sahani wrote on 'X'.

He stated that the people of Gopalpur are confident towards standing in favour of concrete development and reliable leadership.

"We are fully confident that this time, the people of Gopalpur will stand firmly in favour of concrete development and reliable leadership, and will ensure a historic victory for Shri Prem Sagar Ji. Change is inevitable, victory is assured," he added.

"A total of 50 lakh youth have been given government jobs. We have decided that in the next 5 years we will provide jobs to 1 crore youth," says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar at a press conference in Muzaffarpur.

"Three Jan Suraaj candidates withdrew candidature under BJP's pressure. I request Election Commission to ensure security of candidates," says party founder Prashant Kishor.

Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) president Santosh Sahani on Tuesday said he would move the Patna High Court, seeking action against election officials of Darbhanga's Gaura Bauram seat for not dismissing the candidature of RJD's Afzal Ali Khan even after party chief Lalu Prasad made a written request.

The RJD had given the party symbol to Khan in Gaura Bauram, but later it left the seat in favour of the VIP. The VIP fielded Santosh, who is the younger brother of party founder Mukesh Sahani.

Khan filed his papers and did not withdraw the candidature despite the seat going to the RJD's Mahagathbandhan partner, prompting Prasad to write to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to "not consider" his nomination.

Now, the Gaura Bauram seat is all set to witness a direct contest between two candidates of the Mahagathbandhan. The BJP candidate in the seat is Sujit Kumar, while the Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party has fielded Md Iftekhar Alam. (PTI)

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said, "We won't relent until we defeat the BJP and uproot the NDA. The results will be out on the 14th November and the truth will be revealed. They're trying to create an atmosphere that we're scared. Prashant Kishore, along with his Jan Suraaj colleagues, is not afraid of anyone. Buy as many candidates as you want, threaten as many candidates as you can, and imprison as many candidates as you can in their homes."

He added, "The election will be fought, and it will be fought with such force that it will leave you reeling. We are not the Mahagathbandhan. These people don't care about the Mahagathbandhan candidates because they know that a powerful man is standing from the Mahagathbandhan. They will go and tell the public, "These are the people of Jungle Raj. If you don't want them to come back, vote for us." But they fear good people... They aren't afraid of corrupt politicians. This is the fear of Jan Suraaj. So many good people have been fielded that they don't have the courage to fight...."

Addressing a press conference, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor says, "The BJP has built an image in the last few years that no matter who wins elections, it is the BJP that forms the government. A party that once called Jan Suraaj a spoiler and denied our existence is now the one most scared of us. They use 'Mahagathbandhan' to create fear among people. Now, people have the option to end the 'political slavery' of Lalu Yadav and the NDA. But, in the last few days, three Jan Suraaj candidates were either prevented from filing nominations or were forced to withdraw their nominations."

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "... Those in the Congress and RJD or the INDIA alliance are all there for their personal interests... Where personal interests are concerned, there will inevitably be differences... Now they (Mahagathbandhan) are saying that they are having friendly contests on several seats. Can that even happen? The public will give the answer to this in the elections. If you can't stay united in an alliance, then even if you get the opportunity, you will interfere in forming the government... You will form a government today that will break tomorrow... Until there is a stable government, there will be no development in any state or country. This is only possible with the NDA... The NDA government will be formed, the state will be served, and the double-engine government will gain momentum..."

On JMM withdraws from Bihar election, BJP leader, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Mahagathbandhan has been completely exposed and failed; parties are forfeiting ground before the election... Their personal ambitions have overshadowed the alliances' collective goals; such people do eventually meet their ill fate."

Purnia MP Pappu Yadav said, "The way BJP and Chirag Paswan have isolated Nitish Kumar to maintain their strike rate, I don't think Nitish Kumar will remain in the NDA after the elections. Only Congress will give Nitish Kumar the respect he deserves."

On Bihar assembly elections 2025, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, "... The magathbandhan has fielded 255 candidates on 243 seats. This means they will be fighting against each other on at least 10 to 11 seats. How can fights and friendship coexist?... Those who can't unite on ticket distribution and seat sharing, how can they unite for Bihar's progress?... Mahagathbandhan has become a tukde-tukde alliance."

EC: To ensure a fair campaign environment, no party, candidate, organisation or person shall publish any advertisement in print media on poll day & one day prior to poll day, unless the contents are pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. For Bihar, the restricted days are November 5 & 6, 2025 (for Phase-I) and November 10 & 11, 2025 (for Phase-II).

Targeting the Mahagathbandhan allience over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of Bihar polls, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) National President Upendra Kushwaha accused the opposition of misleading the people and asserted that "power has already slipped from their hands".

The RLM national president accused Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav of having neglected Dalits and backward communities during his fifteen-year rule in Bihar.

Speaking to ANI in Patna on Monday, Kushwaha said "They made a big hue and cry over SIR. But what did they find? Is there even a discussion among the public today about what SIR is? These people were trying to create an issue among the public. The public already rejected them."

Taking a swipe at the RJD, Kushwaha alleged that Lalu Prasad Yadav's government failed to ensure political representation for Dalits and backward communities at the grassroots level.

"When Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar for fifteen years, no one allowed a Dalit to become a ward member. Not only women from Dalit families, women from extremely backward families, but even men were not allowed to become members," Kushwaha said.

Officers of the police station concerned maintained that Sah was apprehended by the Jharkhand Police as a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was pending against him. His supporters were clueless about the developments.

On Mahagathbandhan, RLM's National President Upendra Kushwaha said, "They made a big hue and cry over SIR. But what did they find?...Is there even a discussion among the public today about what SIR is? These people were trying to create an issue among the public. The public already rejected them...When Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar for fifteen years, no one allowed a Dalit to become a ward member. Not only women from Dalit families, women from extremely backward families, but even men were not allowed to become members. When Nitish Kumar took over, the NDA government immediately changed the existing provisions. The result of it is that the representation of people from backward community, Dalits have increased and they are viewed with respect...Who stopped Lalu Prasad Yadav from doing this?...Now that power has slipped from their hands, they are resorting to allurements again. The public recognizes their true nature..."

Just two weeks before Bihar’s first phase of polling, the INDIA bloc appeared to shift from disarray to damage control on Monday, as allies began withdrawing rival candidates in select constituencies. The RJD released its list of 143 candidates, dropping 31 sitting MLAs and nominating new faces, while allocating 100 seats to allies. Congress fielded candidates for 61 seats, and the Left — including CPI-ML, CPI, and CPM — announced 30 names. Meanwhile, Mukesh Sahani’s VIP declared 15 candidates, leaving at least six constituencies with friendly contests. Bloc leaders expressed optimism that alliance confusion would settle by October 23, the final date for withdrawal of nominations for the second phase.

Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha took a swipe at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing the opposition party of announcing its candidates at the “last moment” out of fear of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The RJD released its official list of 143 candidates on the final day of filing nominations for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. Some constituencies feature candidates from both the RJD and Congress, highlighting seat-sharing overlaps within the Mahagathbandhan.

Kushwaha told reporters, “RJD is announcing the list of candidates at the last moment as they are scared of us. The people of Bihar are aware and they will give a befitting reply to them. The entire atmosphere is in favour of the NDA. NDA government will be formed in Bihar.”

He emphasized that Bihar voters are informed and ready to support the NDA, suggesting that the opposition alliance’s delayed announcements reflect its anxiety over the ruling coalition’s strength.

Tensions continue to mount within the opposition’s Mahagathbandhan as another setback hit the alliance in Munger’s Tarapur constituency. Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) candidate Sakaldeo Bind joined the BJP on Monday, pledging his support to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

Bind’s switch comes a day after a wave of new entrants from Jan Suraaj — including state spokesperson Amit Kumar Paswan, former district councillor Anita Kumari, and founding member Karmveer Paswan — joined the BJP along with hundreds of supporters.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo criticises JMM, said, "The nomination period for Bihar elections is over, yet the JMM, known for grand announcements, did not file a single nomination... Even shamelessness can take lessons from JMM leaders; they have completely betrayed Jharkhandi pride."

Union minister Chirag Paswan said, "The atmosphere is one sided and we will perform better than our expectations...NDA completed the seat sharing on time which has sent a very positive message...As the Mahagathbandhan is unable to keep its flock together we are expected to win more seats. The alliance which cannot take care of its alliance partners, how could they take care of the state?...The public of Bihar is asking these questions to the leaders of Mahagathbandhan...The leaders of NDA will celebrate Diwali again on 14 November..."

"RJD is capable of forming a government on its own, respects coalition ‘dharma’, friendly contest expected on some seats, he told PTI.

"I have never seen such a thing in my life that such a big alliance is on the verge of ruins. If the people of mahagathbandhan are in this delusion that they can field multiple candidates from the same seat, then they should know that there's no such thing as a 'friendly fight'. But now the mahagathbandhan has given us a walkover even on many seats which seemed challenging to us," he said.

With RJD's list announcement, the composition of the Mahagathbandhan alliance is now largely clear, with RJD set to contest 143 seats, Congress 61, CPI-ML 20, and the remaining likely going to Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Some last-minute changes may still occur as the alliance has not been formally announced.

Key candidates include RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav from Raghopur, Lalit Yadav from Darbhanga Rural, Dilip Singh from Barauli, Ram Vilas Paswan in Pirpainti (SC), and Savitri Devi in Chakai.

“Our differences may exist, but we are resolving disputes through dialogue. There is no hostility among us. Conversations are opening up all the paths. There is no bitterness in the alliance. Unlike the NDA, we are not fielding candidates against one another within the coalition. It is not like the NDA where people such as Chirag Paswan say things like ‘it is unfortunate that Nitish Kumar is the chief minister of North Bihar’, nobody is saying that here. Everyone is united in one voice. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, everyone is talking things through fully. Yes, every party wants to contest more seats. All differences have been resolved. After Diwali, the alliance will, with full strength, remove the seat usurpers. We will remove from power those under whose rule nine crore litres of liquor are consumed by rats. Under them, 130 bridges worth ₹7,581 crore have been eaten by rats. We will oust such corrupt people. Those who annually hand over ₹50,000 crore to liquor mafias in Bihar, these looters will be removed from office, and Nitish Kumar will be unseated. On the 14th the alliance will have the chief minister. The coming time will belong to the alliance," he said.

The Congress on Monday announced six more candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, taking its total to 60, even as a formal seat-sharing deal with ally RJD remains unresolved. The new candidates include Surendra Prasad Kushwaha (Valmiki Nagar) and Abidur Rehman (Araria). Earlier, the party had released 48 names on Thursday, one on Friday, and five on Saturday. Tensions within the alliance surfaced, with some aspirants accusing leadership of “putting tickets up for sale,” ahead of Monday’s final nomination deadline.

Confusion persists within the opposition Mahagathbandhan, which on Sunday still failed to finalise a seat-sharing agreement for the Bihar Assembly elections. The last date to file nominations for the second phase of the polls is Monday, October 20, which also serves as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the first phase covering 121 constituencies.

Polling for all 243 assembly seats in Bihar will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has confirmed it will contest the elections independently, following the Mahagathbandhan—comprising the RJD and Congress—failing to finalise a seat-sharing deal for the first phase, whose nomination process ended on Friday. Some alliance constituents are reportedly involved in a “friendly fight” over certain seats.

"I have come to seek my father's blessings as I am contesting the elections. My father's ideology has always focused on development. The party has expressed confidence in me. The biggest problem in Chapra is the drainage system, and my primary focus will be on improving it", the Bhojpuri singer told ANI.

RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of Lalu Prasad and head of the Janshakti Janta Dal, has been booked for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the filing of his nomination papers from the Mahua assembly seat in Vaishali district, police said on Sunday.

According to a police statement, the Circle Officer of Mahua filed a complaint after a video went viral on social media, showing Yadav using an SUV with a police logo and beacon light while participating in a procession to submit his nomination papers on October 16.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Sunday announced its list of 25 candidates for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

The 243-seat polls are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results expected on November 14.

Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan expressed his deep loyalty to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, likening himself to “Hanuman” in his dedication to securing the NDA’s victory in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Paswan emphasized the trust PM Modi has placed in him, stating, “I will work beyond my capabilities to ensure the victory of the NDA in the Bihar elections. PM Modi has a great deal of trust in me; because of this, he allocated five seats to my party, which has only one MP. This was a very significant gesture for me.”