Mon Oct 20 10:21:51 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article based on that information.

Summary:

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a major opposition party in Bihar, India, has announced its complete list of 143 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. While part of the INDIA bloc, the RJD will contest against other alliance members in a few constituencies. The list includes a mix of incumbent leaders, new faces, and candidates with family ties to prominent politicians (including some with controversial pasts). The party has emphasized representation for women, Muslims, and its traditional “MY” (Muslim-Yadav) voter base while also allocating tickets to other backward castes and upper castes. The RJD’s candidate selection reflects a focus on realpolitik, including fielding candidates with significant political clout and legacy, even if it means facing criticism over their background.

News Article:

RJD Announces Full List of Candidates for Bihar Assembly Elections, Some Races to Pit Allies Against Each Other

Patna, October 20, 2025 – The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) unveiled its list of 143 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on Monday, October 20th, setting the stage for a highly contested electoral battle. While a key member of the INDIA bloc, the RJD’s candidate selection has raised eyebrows as it will result in the party running against other INDIA alliance constituents in at least five constituencies.

Out of the 143 candidates, 24 are women and 16 are Muslim, reflecting the party’s efforts to ensure diverse representation. Incumbent leaders like Tejashwi Yadav (Raghopur), Alok Mehta (Ujiyarpur), and Chandrashekhar (Madhepura), the latter known for his controversial views, will defend their seats.

While RJD averted a direct clash with the Congress in Kutumba, the party will still contest against Congress candidates in Vaishali, Lalganj, and Kahalgaon. Further complicating the INDIA bloc dynamic, the RJD will also face off against Vikassheel Insan Party in Tarapur and Gaura Boram.

Several candidates have strong political legacies. Bhola Yadav, a long-time aide to RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, will attempt to reclaim the Bahadurpur seat. Osama Shahab has been nominated to contest from Raghunathpur, carrying forward his late father Mohd Shahabuddin’s political legacy. In Mokama, Veena Devi, wife of gangster-turned-politician Suraj Bhan Singh, will challenge her husband’s rival, Anant Singh. The Lalganj constituency will see debutante Shivani Shukla, daughter of Munna Shukla, a notorious ganglord, entering the fray.

The RJD’s candidate selection indicates a continued reliance on its traditional “MY” (Muslim-Yadav) voter base, while also including other backward castes and upper castes. The party is also highlighting its greater representation of women compared to its rivals, the JD(U) and BJP.

The RJD’s decision to field candidates with controversial backgrounds, including those with alleged links to criminal activities, signals a focus on “realpolitik,” potentially exposing the party to criticism regarding its image. With the NDA coalition partners, JD(U) and BJP, contesting 101 seats each, the upcoming elections promise to be a hard fought contest with the RJD hoping to regain lost ground in the state.

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