The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan, faced a major political setback ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections after the nomination of one of its key candidates, Seema Singh, was rejected by the Election Commission. Singh, who was fielded from the Marhaura Assembly constituency, saw her nomination papers turned down on technical grounds during the scrutiny process, according to reports from news agency PTI. This development comes as a blow to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) is an integral part alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United).

Background: NDA Seat-Sharing in Bihar

The NDA, which is contesting the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections as a unified front, has divided the 243 constituencies among its members. Both the BJP and JD(U) are contesting from 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allocated 29 seats. Within this framework, Seema Singh was projected as one of the LJP (Ram Vilas)’s prominent faces in the electoral race, particularly because of her popularity in the Bhojpuri film industry and her rising profile in regional politics. Her candidacy from the Marhaura constituency was expected to strengthen the NDA’s presence in Saran district, a politically sensitive region of Bihar known for its strong caste equations and history of competitive contests.

Who Is Seema Singh?

Seema Singh, aged 42, is a well-known Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician. Over the years, she has built a significant fan following for her performances in Bhojpuri cinema, appearing in numerous films and music videos that have garnered millions of views across platforms. Known for her vibrant on-screen presence, Singh transitioned into politics in recent years, aligning herself with the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), led by Chirag Paswan. Her entry into politics was seen as part of a larger trend of popular cultural figures joining mainstream political movements to leverage their mass appeal among voters.

Born and raised in Bihar, Seema Singh is married to Saurav Singh, who hails from the Nawada district of the state. According to her election affidavit, Singh declared a total income of ₹5,48,011 for the assessment year 2025–26 (as of March 31), while her declared income for the previous assessment year stood at ₹4,99,782. Her affidavit also mentioned that a criminal case is currently pending against her. Although charges have been framed in the case, she has not been convicted. Details of the case were not elaborated upon in the public affidavit, but such disclosures are part of mandatory declarations under Indian election laws.

The Rejection of Nomination

The rejection of Seema Singh’s nomination came as an unexpected blow, not only to her supporters but also to the LJP (Ram Vilas), which had considered her one of its strong contenders in the Marhaura constituency. Reports suggest that the rejection occurred due to “technical grounds” during the scrutiny phase conducted by election authorities. While the exact nature of these technical lapses has not been publicly disclosed, such issues often involve errors in paperwork, incomplete documentation, or lapses in the verification process required under the Representation of the People Act.

For a party like the LJP (Ram Vilas), which has been trying to assert its independent identity within the NDA framework, the loss of a key candidate at this stage poses both logistical and symbolic challenges. Marhaura, in particular, was seen as a potential winnable seat for the party, given Singh’s popularity and the NDA’s organizational presence in the region.

Chirag Paswan’s Response

Following the rejection of Seema Singh’s nomination, LJP (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan addressed the matter publicly, describing it as an unfortunate but minor issue. Speaking to the media, Paswan said, “We have submitted a representation before the Election Commission. The situation has arisen because of a small lapse. Hopefully, it will be resolved.” His statement indicates that the party is seeking a reconsideration or review of the decision, although the Election Commission’s rules typically allow little flexibility once nominations are officially rejected after scrutiny.

Paswan, known for his assertive and independent political stance within the NDA, emphasized that the party would continue to pursue all legal and procedural options available. The rejection, however, adds to the challenges faced by the LJP (Ram Vilas), which is already navigating complex alliance dynamics and voter expectations in a politically competitive state like Bihar.

Implications for the NDA and Marhaura Constituency

Marhaura, located in Saran district, has historically witnessed closely fought contests among various political parties, including the RJD, JD(U), BJP, and now the LJP (Ram Vilas). Seema Singh’s nomination had generated considerable buzz, given her fame and local appeal. Her rejection leaves the LJP (Ram Vilas) scrambling to find a replacement candidate with comparable influence and recognition in a constituency that demands both political strategy and cultural connection.

For the NDA, which is striving to maintain its dominance in Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and support from the BJP, every constituency carries significant weight. Losing a candidate, particularly one with public popularity, could slightly impact its campaign momentum in the region.

The Road Ahead

With the Bihar Assembly elections set to be conducted in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—and counting scheduled for November 14, time is of the essence for the LJP (Ram Vilas) to regroup and recalibrate its campaign in Marhaura. If the Election Commission does not reverse the decision, the party will need to either field a substitute candidate or redirect its campaign resources to other constituencies.

For Seema Singh, the episode marks a significant setback in her early political career. However, given her popularity and the attention surrounding her case, she is likely to remain a visible figure in the regional political landscape. Her rejection also underscores the importance of procedural precision in the electoral nomination process, where even minor technical lapses can cost candidates their place in the race.

As Bihar moves closer to election day, all eyes will remain on how the NDA, and particularly Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), manages to recover from this hurdle. The rejection of Seema Singh’s nomination may have been an administrative issue, but its political ripple effects could shape voter sentiment in Marhaura and beyond.