Patna, October 14, 2025: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav has reportedly taken the initiative to distribute party tickets for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, even as the INDIA bloc and other alliance partners continue discussions over the seat-sharing formula. Sources indicate that the decision is being seen as a strategic move to consolidate support in certain constituencies, particularly among the influential Bhumihar community.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], has already finalized its seat-sharing arrangement, with both parties contesting an equal number of constituencies. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc—which in Bihar is spearheaded by the RJD and includes Congress as a key partner—remains in the midst of negotiations. Despite ongoing deliberations, Lalu Prasad Yadav has reportedly gone ahead to allocate tickets to his favoured candidates on seats historically contested by the RJD.

A Rush for Tickets at Rabri Devi’s Bungalow

According to reports from news agency PTI, a crowd of party leaders and aspirants gathered outside Rabri Devi’s residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna on Monday as she and Lalu Yadav returned from Delhi following a court appearance. Many of the hopefuls were reportedly called individually by the RJD party leadership and briefed about potential candidature. By the end of the day, several leaders had emerged from the bungalow holding the RJD lantern symbol, effectively confirming their ticket allocation.

Among those reportedly allocated tickets were former JD(U) leader Sunil Singh from Parbatta and multiple-term MLA Narendra Kumar Singh, popularly known as Bogo, from Matihani. Bogo had previously represented the JD(U) and won the seat twice under the party headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Several incumbent RJD MLAs, including Bhai Virendra, Chandrashekhar Yadav (representing Madhepura), and Israil Mansuri (Kanti), were also confirmed to have received tickets. However, the total number of candidates who received party tickets remained unclear as of the latest reports.

Strategic Moves Ahead of Elections

Political analysts suggest that this move by Lalu Yadav is part of a broader strategy orchestrated by his son and RJD heir apparent, Tejashwi Yadav. The aim appears to be to consolidate votes among a section of the Bhumihar community—a traditionally upper-caste group that has historically leaned toward the NDA in Bihar. By pre-emptively issuing tickets to carefully chosen candidates, the RJD is seeking to project organizational control and rally key voter bases in preparation for the elections.

Observers also note that this approach bears resemblance to tactics employed by Lalu Yadav during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, the RJD supremo had allocated several party tickets prior to formal approval from alliance partners, compelling them to eventually accept the party’s choices. This early distribution of tickets may be intended to secure RJD’s influence within the INDIA bloc, ensuring that key constituencies are contested by candidates loyal to the Yadav family leadership.

Congress and Alliance Dynamics

While the RJD has moved ahead with ticket distribution, the Bihar Congress, another major constituent of the INDIA bloc, has emphasized that formal seat-sharing talks are still ongoing. Krishna Allavaru, the party’s in-charge for Bihar, told news agency ANI, “After finalising the seat allocation, the list will also be released. Our effort is to form a good government for the people of Bihar without any loss to the alliance and to the benefit of Bihar. The talks are ongoing.”

The RJD’s decision to allocate tickets in advance has raised questions about the internal dynamics of the alliance. Some party members and political observers view it as a calculated risk designed to strengthen the RJD’s negotiating position within the INDIA bloc, while others suggest it could create friction with partners if not handled delicately.

Alliance Composition and Prospects

Besides Congress, the RJD maintains alliances with several Left parties, Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party, and is expected to formalize arrangements with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) led by former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras. The RJD’s early allocation of tickets, therefore, may also be intended to solidify candidate positions across constituencies before the broader bloc negotiations are concluded.

Election strategists note that Bihar’s political landscape is highly competitive, with caste dynamics, regional influence, and historical party loyalties playing critical roles in determining electoral outcomes. The preemptive ticket distribution by Lalu Yadav reflects the urgency felt by the RJD to position itself strongly in the state, particularly as it seeks to reclaim power and counter the well-organized NDA.

Filing of Nominations and Electoral Timeline

The filing of nominations for the second and final phase of the Bihar assembly polls began on Monday. Candidates from the first phase have only four days left to submit their papers. This compressed timeline, coupled with the early ticket allocations, has created a flurry of activity among party workers, aspirants, and political observers.

The move also underscores the importance of local leadership and grassroots connections in Bihar’s electoral politics. Candidates with strong local support, historical influence, and familiarity with constituency dynamics are being prioritised for tickets, reflecting the RJD’s focus on consolidating its voter base and maximizing electoral advantage.

Conclusion

Lalu Yadav’s proactive approach to ticket allocation highlights the high-stakes nature of Bihar politics and the complex interplay of alliance negotiations, caste considerations, and leadership strategies. While Congress and other INDIA bloc partners continue discussions over seat-sharing, the RJD’s early move signals its intent to maintain strategic control over key constituencies.

The upcoming assembly elections in Bihar are poised to be a litmus test for the INDIA bloc’s cohesion, the RJD’s leadership strategy, and the ability of alliances to navigate historical loyalties, regional dynamics, and caste considerations. As candidates begin filing their nominations and election campaigns intensify, the political maneuvers by Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav will be closely watched by both voters and political analysts across the state.