Has Congress Finalized 25 Candidates for Bihar Assembly Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Congress has finalized 25 candidates for Bihar Assembly elections.
- Seat-sharing discussions are ongoing with Mahagathbandhan allies.
- Voting will occur in two phases on November 6 and 11.
- The Congress aims to reclaim its influence in Bihar.
- Final candidate announcements will follow consultations with alliance partners.
New Delhi, Oct 8 (NationPress) In a calculated strategy leading up to the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party has officially announced the selection of 25 candidates for constituencies deemed its historical strongholds.
This decision was reached during a significant meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) on October 8, 2025, at Indira Bhawan, Delhi.
The meeting coincides with ongoing negotiations regarding seat-sharing with Mahagathbandhan allies, chiefly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left parties, and saw participation from key Congress figures.
Among those attending were Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, who joined virtually, while K.C. Venugopal, Ajay Maken, and other senior officials were present in person.
Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram indicated that the discussed constituencies have already been endorsed by coalition partners and are traditionally associated with the Congress party.
“We stressed that these seats should remain under our banner, and the candidates were confirmed following extensive discussions,” he remarked.
However, the formal announcement of candidates will occur only after additional talks with alliance partners and state leaders.
The Congress is anticipated to contest between 55 to 60 seats out of the total 243 in Bihar as part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Details regarding remaining seat-sharing arrangements are still being finalized, with leaders showing optimism about a smooth agreement.
“There is no discord among alliance partners. We will jointly unveil the final roster after mutual consent,” Rajesh Ram added.
Shakeel Ahmed, leader of the Congress Legislative Party, informed IANS that the CEC has sanctioned candidates from constituencies regarded as party strongholds. Meanwhile, Mohammed Jawaid, Congress MP from Kishanganj and a CEC member, emphasized that senior leaders played an active role in candidate selection.
The Bihar Assembly elections are set to occur in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
The Mahagathbandhan coalition, led by the RJD, seeks to contest the incumbent NDA government, making this election a pivotal test for opposition coherence and strategy.
As the political climate in Bihar intensifies, everyone is watching how the final seat-sharing agreements develop and if the Congress can regain its stature in the state.
On the Congress Central Election Committee meeting, Khan stated: "Our discussions are concluded. Now, only the discussions with our alliance partners remain, and these will also wrap up shortly."