By – The Indus Zone Tech Desk | Patna, October 17, 2025 — Stepping up its campaign for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the Indian National Congress on Thursday released its first list of 48 candidates, marking the official beginning of its electoral battle under the INDIA bloc alliance. The list, announced after extensive discussions within the Mahagathbandhan, includes a mix of experienced legislators and fresh faces, reflecting the party’s attempt to strike a balance between continuity and change.
The first list features prominent names such as Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, who will contest from Kutumba, and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, who has been fielded from the Kadwa Assembly constituency. Both leaders have retained their seats, signaling the party’s confidence in their leadership and performance.
Congress Fields 48 Candidates in Two Phases
According to the party’s official release, the 48 candidates are divided evenly between the two phases of polling — 24 each for the first and second rounds. This announcement also marks the first formal declaration of candidates by any party within the INDIA bloc, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Left parties, and others.
The Congress list includes 11 sitting MLAs, reaffirming the party’s faith in its incumbents from constituencies such as Bhagalpur, Kadwa, Manihari, Muzaffarpur, Rajapakar, Buxar, Rajpur, Kutumba, Kargahar, Hisua, and Aurangabad. Retaining these legislators is seen as a strategic move to consolidate existing voter bases while introducing new faces in other seats to energize the cadre.
Focus on Diversity and Representation
The Congress has ensured social and regional inclusivity in its candidate selection. The first list features five women candidates, four Muslim candidates, nine Scheduled Caste (SC) nominees, and one Scheduled Tribe (ST) representative.
Party insiders say the leadership focused on caste balance and local representation, especially in constituencies where alliance partners have a strong presence.
Among the key new candidates are Shashant Shekhar from Patna Sahib and Kaushlendra Kumar from Nalanda, both considered politically significant constituencies. Other notable names include Bijendra Chaudhary (Muzaffarpur), Om Prakash Garg (Gopalganj), Amita Bhushan (Begusarai), Dr. Chandan Yadav (Khagaria), Sanjay Kumar Tiwari alias Munna Tiwari (Buxar), Anand Shankar Singh (Aurangabad), and Arun Kumar Bind (Harnaut).
The inclusion of both seasoned leaders and young professionals indicates Congress’s attempt to appeal to diverse voter demographics ahead of the polls.
INDIA Bloc Finalizes Seat-Sharing Arrangement
The release of the Congress list comes shortly after intense seat-sharing negotiations within the INDIA bloc. Sources confirm that the Congress has finalized its share of seats under the Mahagathbandhan arrangement, which also includes RJD, CPI(ML), CPI, and CPI(M) as partners.
The coordination committee reportedly spent several days resolving seat distribution among alliance members to prevent internal conflicts and ensure a unified front against the NDA alliance, which includes JD(U), BJP, LJP(RV), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
The NDA, meanwhile, has already announced its full list of 243 candidates, setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest in Bihar.
Leader speak on Seat sharing
Reacting to the announcement, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram said, “This list reflects the aspirations of Bihar’s people. We have focused on fielding candidates who are rooted in their constituencies and committed to development. Our goal is to offer a clean and inclusive alternative to the NDA’s divisive politics.”
Shakeel Ahmed Khan, who has been renominated from Kadwa, expressed confidence in the Congress’s prospects. “The people of Bihar have seen our commitment to education, employment, and social justice. This election is about protecting the democratic and secular fabric of the state,” he said.
Party strategists added that this list is only the beginning, with additional names to be finalized in coordination with alliance partners for the remaining seats.
Election Timeline and Next Steps
As per the Election Commission of India, the last date for filing nominations for the first phase of polling is October 17, while the second phase deadline is October 20. The Congress is expected to release its second list of candidates in the coming days after further discussions with INDIA bloc allies.
Election observers believe that the Congress’s early announcement aims to give candidates more time to campaign, connect with voters, and strengthen local organizational structures before the official campaign period begins.
Strategic Outlook for Congress in Bihar
Political analysts suggest that the Congress faces a dual challenge in Bihar — reviving its traditional support base while adapting to the evolving political landscape dominated by regional parties. With the INDIA bloc alliance, the Congress hopes to expand its influence beyond urban pockets into rural and semi-urban constituencies.
The inclusion of women and minority candidates is seen as part of the party’s broader strategy to appeal to socially marginalized communities and youth voters. Meanwhile, alliance partners like the RJD and Left parties will focus on their respective strongholds to maximize the bloc’s overall performance.
Conclusion: Congress Sets the Tone for Bihar Election Battle
The release of the first list of 48 Congress candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 marks a significant milestone for the INDIA bloc’s campaign. By prioritizing inclusivity, experience, and representation, the Congress aims to re-establish itself as a key player in Bihar’s political landscape.
With the NDA already releasing its full list, and both camps gearing up for an intense electoral showdown, the stage is set for a closely fought battle that could shape the state’s political future.
Key Highlights
Congress releases first list of 48 candidates for Bihar polls.
Includes five women, four Muslims, nine SCs, and one ST candidate.
Retains 11 sitting MLAs across major constituencies.
First major announcement from INDIA bloc after seat-sharing finalization.
Filing deadlines: October 17 (Phase 1) and October 20 (Phase 2).
