The Congress party has finalised a list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, marking a crucial step in its preparations within the opposition INDIA alliance. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Congress election committee, which deliberated on the party’s strategy, seat distribution, and coordination with allies — primarily the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Tejashwi Yadav.

The list, which includes candidates from traditional Congress strongholds, is expected to be announced officially once the seat-sharing talks with RJD and other allies are concluded. Party leaders have clarified that there is no internal dispute or conflict within the alliance, describing discussions as “healthy and collaborative.”

Congress Prepares Ground for Bihar Elections

With the Bihar assembly polls approaching, the Congress high command has intensified its focus on finalising its candidates and strengthening coordination with its alliance partners. Senior leaders from Delhi and Patna have been holding frequent consultations to ensure a smooth distribution of seats within the INDIA bloc, which includes the RJD, Left parties, and other regional allies.

The 25 shortlisted candidates come from regions where Congress has traditionally held influence — such as Kishanganj, Katihar, Supaul, Bhagalpur, and Nawada — and where the party’s grassroots structure remains active.

According to insiders, the screening committee, chaired by senior Congress leader Avinash Pande, reviewed the feedback from district units and state observers before finalising the list. The names will now be discussed with RJD leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav, as part of the broader seat-sharing arrangement.

Seat-Sharing Talks with RJD Continue

Seat-sharing discussions between Congress and RJD have been ongoing for weeks, with both parties working to avoid overlap and ensure balanced representation. RJD, being the largest partner in the alliance, is expected to contest the majority of the 243 seats, while Congress may get between 60 to 70 constituencies, according to initial projections.

A senior Bihar Congress leader stated,

“We have finalised 25 candidates for the constituencies where there is little chance of overlap with RJD. The final decision on other seats will depend on alliance discussions, which are progressing smoothly.”

Sources indicate that while a few constituencies are under discussion, there is no major disagreement between Congress and RJD leaders. Both parties are keen to project a united front against the ruling NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

No Rift Within the Alliance, Say Leaders

In response to media speculation about tensions within the alliance, Congress leaders have firmly dismissed reports of internal discord.

State Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh told reporters that the alliance remains intact and cooperative:

“There is no fight for seats. Discussions are happening within a democratic and cooperative framework. Our goal is to defeat the NDA and restore people’s faith in governance.”

RJD spokespersons have echoed similar sentiments, stating that the alliance is functioning “smoothly and with mutual respect.” According to RJD insiders, Tejashwi Yadav has maintained regular contact with Congress leaders in Delhi, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, to finalise the seat distribution in time for the official campaign launch.

Strategic Focus on Strongholds and Winnable Seats

The Congress party is adopting a data-driven and ground-focused approach in Bihar this time. The shortlisted constituencies have been selected based on previous election performances, voter demographics, and local leadership strength.

The party’s internal assessment reports indicate that it performs well in minority-dominated districts and areas with youth and women voters who are disillusioned with the state’s economic stagnation and unemployment crisis.

Among the 25 constituencies finalised, several were previously won or strongly contested by Congress in the 2020 Assembly elections, where the party had bagged 19 seats as part of the RJD-led Grand Alliance.

A senior strategist from the party said,

“We are focusing on constituencies where Congress has strong historical and emotional connections with the electorate. These are areas where local leaders have maintained continuous public contact despite electoral setbacks.”

Coordination Between Delhi and Patna

The Congress central leadership has been actively coordinating with its Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) to ensure alignment in decision-making. Meetings between state in-charges, observers, and screening committee members have been taking place regularly at the party headquarters.

Sources confirmed that Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have been personally reviewing the seat-sharing progress and have instructed the state leadership to maintain alliance unity as a top priority.

A Congress insider stated,

“The message from the top is clear — there must be no public disagreement within the INDIA bloc. Coordination and collective campaigning will be the key to success.”

Campaign Planning Underway

Parallel to seat discussions, the Congress party has begun preparing for an aggressive campaign focused on key issues such as price rise, unemployment, farmers’ distress, and corruption in the ruling NDA government.

The Bihar Congress campaign committee, led by Shakil Ahmed Khan and other senior leaders, is working on finalising slogans, outreach programs, and media strategies. The focus will be on connecting with first-time voters and re-engaging traditional Congress supporters who drifted away in previous elections.

The campaign will also highlight Congress’s contribution to national welfare schemes, women’s empowerment, and social justice initiatives.

Alliance Dynamics and Electoral Strategy

The INDIA bloc in Bihar, comprising RJD, Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and CPI(ML), aims to present a unified alternative to the NDA. With Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and BJP joining hands again, the opposition sees an opportunity to capitalize on anti-incumbency and present a vision of development and inclusivity.

The alliance strategy revolves around avoiding vote division and ensuring clear communication of seat responsibilities. Congress, while a junior partner, hopes to expand its legislative presence and reclaim lost ground in Bihar politics.

Challenges Facing Congress in Bihar

Despite renewed enthusiasm, the Congress faces several organizational and electoral challenges in Bihar:

• The party’s grassroots network has weakened in several rural constituencies.

• The youth vote is largely influenced by regional leaders like Tejashwi Yadav.

• The BJP’s strong organizational machinery and Nitish Kumar’s administrative record continue to present tough competition.

However, Congress leaders believe that anti-incumbency sentiment, rising unemployment, and agrarian distress could tilt the balance in favour of the opposition alliance if effectively communicated.

Voices from the Ground

Several district-level Congress workers have expressed satisfaction with the candidate selection process, which they describe as more inclusive and transparent compared to previous elections.

“We are seeing genuine engagement from the central leadership. Feedback from ground workers is being respected this time,” said a Congress block president from Purnea.

RJD and Congress Coordination Committees to Meet

Both RJD and Congress have agreed to form a coordination committee to iron out seat-sharing details and joint campaign logistics. The committee is expected to finalise seat allocations within a week, after which the official candidate list will be made public.

Tejashwi Yadav has also announced that the alliance campaign will be launched jointly from Patna, featuring leaders from all INDIA bloc parties. The launch event will focus on youth employment, education reforms, and healthcare.

National Impact of the Bihar Polls

The Bihar elections 2025 are being closely watched across the political spectrum as a test case for the INDIA alliance’s coordination and as a precursor to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Political analysts believe that a strong performance by the alliance in Bihar could revitalise the opposition’s national momentum and redefine the Congress-RJD power balance in the Hindi heartland.

Conclusion

The Congress party’s decision to finalise 25 candidates for Bihar is a significant step that reflects its readiness and strategic clarity ahead of the polls. With seat-sharing talks nearing completion, the party is positioning itself as a reliable ally and serious contender within the opposition bloc.

As both Congress and RJD gear up for the campaign, the emphasis remains on unity, coordination, and clear messaging — elements that will determine whether the INDIA alliance can convert its political intent into electoral success.

If the seat-sharing formula is finalised smoothly and candidates are announced jointly, this could mark the beginning of a cohesive and focused opposition movement in Bihar, setting the tone for the national political landscape in the years to come.

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