Patna, October 19, 2025: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Sunday formally released its list of 25 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, signalling its intent to consolidate support among minority communities and expand its political footprint in the state. The 243-seat Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—with the counting of votes set for November 14.

In a post on X, AIMIM highlighted that the list was prepared by the Bihar unit after consultations with the party’s national leadership. “Inshallah, we hope to become the voice of the most oppressed people in Bihar. This list has been prepared by the AIMIM Bihar unit, and in this regard, consultation has also been done with the party’s national leadership,” the post read.

Among the prominent candidates named are Mohammed Kaif contesting from Siwan, Anas Salam from Gopalganj AC, Advocate Shams Aagaz from Kishanganj, Rashid Khalil Ansari from Madhubani, and Mohammad Manzoor Alam from Araria. The list also includes several other nominees, reflecting the party’s strategy to strengthen its presence across diverse regions of the state. AIMIM’s move comes amid rising political competition in Bihar, where multiple alliances and parties are vying for influence.

Congress and Mahagathbandhan Preparations

Meanwhile, the Congress party has also been steadily releasing its candidate lists for the elections. On Saturday, it announced nominees for Narkatiaganj, Kishanganj, Kasba, Purnia, and Gaya Town constituencies. Among the names are Shaswat Kedar Pandey from Narkatiaganj, Qamrul Hoda from Kishanganj, Irfan Alam from Kasba, Jitender Yadav from Purnia, and Mohan Shrivasta from Gaya Town. This followed the release of Congress’s first list of 48 candidates on October 17, with 24 candidates contesting the first phase and 24 for the second. The party stated that the remaining names would be disclosed in due course.

The Mahagathbandhan, consisting primarily of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, has faced challenges in finalising seat-sharing arrangements for the first phase of polling. As nominations closed on Friday, some constituencies have seen “friendly contests” between Mahagathbandhan partners, reflecting ongoing negotiations and strategic considerations ahead of the polls.

Multi-Front Contest: NDA, INDIA Bloc, and New Entrants

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are shaping up to be highly competitive, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) facing off against the INDIA bloc led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, alongside the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, CPI, CPM, and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Adding further complexity, this election cycle will also witness the entry of a new political entity, Jan Suraaj, founded by political strategist Prashant Kishor. The party aims to position itself as an alternative to the traditional political establishments, promising governance-focused campaigns and strategic engagement with urban and rural voters alike. Analysts suggest that the entry of Jan Suraaj could fragment traditional vote banks and introduce new dynamics in closely contested constituencies.

AIMIM’s Strategic Focus

For AIMIM, the Bihar elections represent an opportunity to consolidate its minority vote base and project itself as a champion for the marginalized communities in the state. Over the past few years, the party has made inroads in certain constituencies, especially in regions with significant Muslim populations. By releasing a 25-member candidate list, AIMIM aims to maximise its electoral reach while strategically targeting seats where its chances of success are relatively higher.

Political analysts note that AIMIM’s presence could influence the outcomes in several constituencies, particularly in closely fought contests where the vote margin between major alliances is expected to be narrow. The party’s messaging emphasises social justice, minority representation, and advocacy for underrepresented groups, positioning it as a focused alternative to the larger alliances.

Election Schedule and Voter Engagement

The Bihar Assembly elections, conducted in two phases on November 6 and November 11, will cover all 243 seats of the state legislature. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14, with the Election Commission of India overseeing the process to ensure a free and fair poll. With multiple political players, including established alliances like NDA and Mahagathbandhan, regional parties like VIP, and new entrants such as Jan Suraaj, the election promises to be a litmus test of voter sentiment across rural, urban, and minority-heavy constituencies.

Both AIMIM and other political parties are actively campaigning across Bihar, engaging with voters through public rallies, door-to-door outreach, and social media campaigns. Key electoral issues include development, employment, social justice, law and order, infrastructure, education, and minority rights. AIMIM, in particular, has sought to amplify the concerns of minority and marginalized communities, framing its narrative around empowerment and protection of constitutional rights.

Outlook and Implications

As Bihar gears up for a multi-phased, high-stakes election, the release of AIMIM’s candidate list adds to the evolving political mosaic of the state. The party’s electoral strategy, focused on targeted constituencies with significant minority populations, could impact vote shares in key regions and influence the overall results, particularly in seats where traditional alliances have thin margins.

The elections are also being closely watched for the performance of new entrants like Jan Suraaj, whose ability to mobilise voters and challenge entrenched political structures will be a key determinant in shaping post-election alliances and government formation.

With a total of 243 Assembly seats at stake, the Bihar elections of 2025 promise intense political activity, strategic alliances, and robust campaigning. The inclusion of AIMIM’s 25 candidates alongside Congress, RJD, NDA, VIP, CPI, CPM, and Jan Suraaj candidates creates a highly competitive landscape, offering voters a diverse set of choices and reflecting the pluralistic nature of Bihar’s democratic polity.

As the campaigns intensify in the run-up to November 6, political analysts and voters alike will be watching closely to gauge how alliances, candidate profiles, regional dynamics, and community-focused messaging influence the state’s electoral outcome.