The tussle continues between the allies in the opposition India Alliance over seat sharing for the Bihar Assembly elections. The last date for filing nomination papers for the first phase of voting to be held on November 6, 2025 ended on Friday (October 17, 2025). An Election Commission official said that a total of 1,698 candidates have filed nominations for the first phase of elections.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan said that a total of 71 candidates of the party have filed nominations for the first phase of elections. In this, the party’s CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav, National General Secretary Bhola Yadav, Mohammad Shahabuddin’s son Osama, former Bihar Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, Alok Mehta, Lalit Yadav, Israel Mansoori along with all the former ministers and senior leader of the party Bhai Virendra have also filed their nominations.

Congress, VIP and CPI also fielded their candidates.

On the other hand, a total of 25 candidates from Rahul Gandhi’s party Congress including Braj Kishore Ravi, former Tamil Nadu DGP Amita Bhushan and Pratima Kumari have also filed their nominations. With this, a total of 14 candidates of Communist Party of India (ML), six candidates including Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) National President Santosh Sahni and Vice President Umesh Sahni have filed their nominations with the Election Commission. However, VIP founder Mukesh Sahni has decided not to contest Bihar assembly elections. He said, ‘I have to ensure the victory of India Alliance in the elections. If I also contest elections, it will affect our election campaign.

There may also be a contest between the candidates of the Grand Alliance’s allies.

No consensus could be reached between all the allies in the India alliance by Friday (October 17, 2025). In such a situation, many party candidates filed their nominations with caution. The last date for withdrawal of nominations for the first phase of elections is till Monday (October 20, 2025). In such a situation, if the candidates of alliance parties have filed their nominations on the seats where they do not withdraw their nominations on Monday, then there can be a contest between the candidates of the alliance parties of the Grand Alliance.

The eight assembly seats where there could be a fight between the candidates of the Grand Alliance’s allies include Bachhwara, Kahalgaon, Lalganj, Gaura Bauram, Tarapur, Vaishali, Rajapakar and Rosra.

Voter Adhikar Yatra supported by all parties, dispute over seat

Leaders of other alliance parties demonstrated solidarity by participating in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar. But soon after that, differences started emerging between them on many issues and they could not reach a consensus on seat sharing in the Grand Alliance.

Also read: Amit Shah’s political target on Bengal from the constituency of Bihar, said – The pain from SIR is by nurturing infiltrators…

Dramatic scenes were seen in Srinagar on Monday when Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the police shocked him during an attempt to pay tribute to the martyrs. This incident created a political storm. Opposition parties demanded apology from BJP government and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on this.

Omar Abdullah’s anger, a scathing attack on the center
Talking to NDTV, Omar Abdullah targeted the BJP fiercely. He said that it was “silly and visionless” decision taken by “fools”. He once again demanded to restore state status to Jammu and Kashmir.

“This incident is not with me, but associated with people’s rights”
Omar said, “This is not just an incident with me or my colleagues, but a big message is that the government wants to prove people powerless.” He warned that if people are constantly pressed, then it will have to bear political consequences.

Referring to 13 July 1931, the case connected to historical background
Umar Abdullah, citing the incident of 13 July 1931, said that people stood against British rule that day. He alleged that the martyrs are being seen from a different perspective due to being a Muslim. Omar warned that if there is less turnout in the elections, the central government will be held responsible for this, because it is weakening democratic institutions.

Pahalgam said on the terrorist attack – it was LG’s failure
In a conversation with NDTV, Omar also said that he had not accepted his failure for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. He said that this omission took us to the brink of war. 26 people were killed in Pahalgam attack, most of whom were citizens. After this, India ran ‘Operation Sindoor’ on the targets of terrorists in Pakistan and PoK.

State status should be restored, this issue should not be postponed
Omar Abdullah said that despite security challenges, Jammu and Kashmir should get back state status. He also said that if it does not happen, then we will reach Delhi to Delhi in democratic and peaceful ways.

Intense response by opposition parties
The CPI (M) criticized the central government and said that the BJP is imposing its arbitrary and ending the Martyr’s Day holiday, declaring the birthday of Dogra Maharaja as a holiday. The party condemned the misconduct with Omar Abdullah.

CPI General Secretary D Raja’s statement
D Raja shared the picture of Omar Abdullah’s cemetery and said that it was completely unacceptable that it was prevented from paying tribute to an elected Chief Minister. He called it a direct attack on democracy and reiterated the demand for restoring state status.

Mamta Banerjee and Stalin also attacked central government
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on X (East Twitter), “It is not only unfortunate, but to take away the democratic rights of a citizen.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that it shows how much the situation has deteriorated. He alleged that the BJP government is gradually ending the rights of the state governments.

The Chief Minister had to jump from the grave gate to go inside
According to sources, the routes were sealed by the police from Khanyar and Nauhatta towards the martyr graveyard. Due to this, Omar Abdullah had to get trapped the main gate to enter the cemetery. The gate was later opened.

Dewate again in the state-government vs. LG dispute
This entire incident has once again exposed the political and symbolic conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. The demand from the Center on behalf of the people and the opposition has intensified that without delay, Jammu and Kashmir should be given full state status again.