BIHAR POLLS Phase 1 nominations end; NDA shows confidence, INDIA bloc in confusion

Over 1,250 file nominations for first phase

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Bihar plunged into election fever on Friday as nomination filings for the first phase of the Assembly elections concluded, highlighting a stark contrast between the ruling NDA’s disciplined campaign and the disarray within the Opposition INDIA bloc.

According to the Election Commission, over 1,250 candidates filed their nomination papers for the 121 constituencies scheduled to go to polls on November 6. The final tally was expected to rise as returns from all districts were yet to be fully received.

The Opposition alliance, comprising the RJD, Congress, three Left parties, and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), appears to be struggling with internal coordination. In at least six constituencies, multiple INDIA bloc candidates filed nominations, setting the stage for potential “friendly fights” unless one of the contenders withdraws by the October 20 deadline.

While the Congress agreed to let RJD leader Rishi Mishra contest from the Jale seat on its symbol, the regional heavyweight RJD did not reciprocate in Lalganj. There, Shivani Shukla, daughter of former local don-turned-politician Munna Shukla, filed her nomination against Aditya Kumar Raja, the Congress nominee. Similar face-offs appear imminent in Vaishali and Kahalgaon.