Sat Oct 11 04:32:41 UTC 2025: **RJD Gains Ground as Ruling Party Members Defect Ahead of Bihar Elections**

**Patna, Bihar – October 11, 2025** – In a significant shift ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, several prominent figures from the ruling Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have joined the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The move, announced at a press conference led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday, October 10, sees former MP Santosh Kushwaha, former MLA Rahul Sharma, former LJP candidate Ajay Kushwaha, and Chanakya Prakash Ranjan, son of JD(U) MP Girdhari Yadav, aligning themselves with the RJD.

Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, welcomed the new members, stating their inclusion would bolster the party’s strength. Political analysts see the defections as a potential sign of dissatisfaction with the current government and a growing endorsement of Yadav’s leadership. Two of the new members come from the Kushwaha community, one from the Yadav community, and Sharma belongs to the Bhumihar caste, having previously served as an MLA.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) formally initiated the Bihar Assembly election process on Friday, issuing a notification for Phase 1 polling in 121 constituencies, scheduled for November 6. The ECI confirmed that the final electoral rolls, revised after a special intensive revision, have been published, and no appeals for additions or deletions are pending.

In related news, Independent MP Pappu Yadav is facing legal action for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. A case was filed against him after he was accused of distributing money among flood-affected residents in Vaishali district. The complaint was lodged by the district administration, alleging the incident occurred on Thursday.

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