The Congress Election Committee (CEC) released its second list comprising five candidates for the Bihar Assembly election

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar faced a major jolt on Saturday (October 18, 2025) after the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate Seema Singh's nomination papers were rejected during the scrutiny process in the Marhaura Assembly seat ahead of next month's election.

Confusion prevailing in the INDIA bloc showed little signs of let up on Saturday, with just two days to go before the filing of nomination papers for the second and final phase of assembly elections comes to a close.

The multi-party coalition, which had of late been blaming its inability to declare a seat-sharing arrangement on the need to "accommodate new allies", was given up on by the JMM, which announced it will go it alone and contest six seats in Bihar.

Follow LIVE updates here

The Congress Election Committee (CEC) on Saturday (October 18, 2025) released its second list comprising five candidates for the Bihar Assembly election.

The party has named Shashwat Kedar Pandey for the Narkatiaganj seat, Mohammad Qamrul Hoda for Kishanganj, and Mohammad Irfan Alam for Kasba. In Purnea, the party has fielded Jitender Yadav, and Mohan Shrivasta from the Gaya Town constituency.

Earlier, the Congress had released its first list of 48 candidates. Till now, it has fielded 53 candidates.

Read the story hereCongress fields five more candidates for Bihar polls

CEC releases second list of Bihar Assembly candidates; INDIA bloc seat-sharing remains uncertain; JMM to contest six seats.

Her candidature was rejected due to discrepancies found in her documents submitted before the returning officer. She belongs to Union Minister Chirag Paswan's party, the LJP (RV), which has got 29 seats under the NDA's seat-sharing arrangement.

Ms. Singh was among the five candidates whose nomination papers have been rejected. The others are Madhubala Giri of The Plurals Party, Janata Dal (United) rebel Altaf Alam who is contesting as an Independent, Vishal Kumar who is also an Independent, and the Bahujan Samaj Party's Aditya Kumar.

Read the story hereBihar Assembly polls: Jolt for NDA after LJP(RV) candidate's nomination papers rejected

NDA in Bihar faces setback as LJP candidate's nomination papers rejected, seat-sharing finalized for Assembly election.

Bihar Election LIVE: Jolt for NDA after LJP(RV) candidate's nomination papers rejected