In a significant blow to the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar’s upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 22, 2025, cancelled the nomination of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Shweta Suman for the Mohania seat in Kaimur district. The decision, based on Suman’s status as a native of Uttar Pradesh, has sparked controversy, with allegations of political interference and bias rocking the electoral landscape.

The Mohania constituency, reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, bars non-residents of Bihar from contesting, a rule that does not apply to general seats. ECI officials cited Suman’s UP origin as the reason for invalidating her nomination, stating that her caste certificate did not meet the eligibility criteria for a reserved seat. This ruling has handed a strategic advantage to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Sangita Kumar, who is now poised to contest the seat unopposed by the RJD.

Suman, visibly distraught, alleged foul play, accusing the ECI of succumbing to pressure from the BJP’s top leadership to ensure Kumar’s victory. “This is sheer highhandedness by polling officials acting under the direction of BJP leaders,” Suman told reporters, claiming she has been a resident of Bihar for over 20 years. She further alleged that Kumar’s caste certificate was submitted post-nomination and accepted without scrutiny, pointing to a “partial attitude” by election authorities. “I will approach the courts to challenge this injustice,” she vowed, signaling a potential legal battle ahead.

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The cancellation has intensified tensions within the Mahagathbandhan, a coalition already grappling with internal challenges and a fiercely competitive electoral environment. Political analysts suggest the decision could weaken the RJD’s campaign in Kaimur, a region where caste dynamics and reservation policies play a critical role. The Mohania seat, historically a battleground for social justice-focused parties, was seen as a key opportunity for the RJD to consolidate its Scheduled Caste voter base.

The controversy also raises broader questions about the fairness of electoral processes in Bihar, where accusations of administrative bias have surfaced in past polls. Suman’s supporters argue that her long-term residency in Bihar should have qualified her to contest, accusing the ECI of applying rules selectively to favor the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations, with a party spokesperson stating, “The ECI’s decision is based on clear legal grounds, and no one is above the law.”

As the Bihar elections approach, this incident has fueled a war of words, with the RJD rallying its base to protest what it calls a “politically motivated” move. The party is now scrambling to regroup and potentially field a replacement candidate, though time constraints and the loss of momentum could prove costly. With the Mohania contest now tilted in the BJP’s favor, the outcome of Suman’s promised legal challenge may shape not only her political future but also the broader narrative of fairness in Bihar’s high-stakes electoral battle.

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