Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav made a decisive move in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 by filing his nomination papers for the Raghopur constituency in Vaishali district on Wednesday, preempting the formal announcement of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc’s seat-sharing agreement. The strategic filing underscores his confidence in retaining the family stronghold, even as coalition negotiations remain unresolved.

Tejashwi, the elder son of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, has secured victories in Raghopur in the last two assembly elections, establishing himself as a formidable force in the constituency. The seat holds deep familial significance, having been represented previously by both Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi’s mother, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. As Tejashwi aims for a third consecutive term, his early nomination signals a calculated assertion of dominance in a region synonymous with RJD’s legacy.

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, is yet to finalize its seat-sharing formula for the 243-member Bihar Assembly, with talks reportedly stalled over key constituencies. Sources indicate RJD is pushing for a lion’s share, leveraging its 2020 performance where it won 75 seats as the single largest party. Tejashwi’s filing, ahead of the alliance’s official declaration, suggests an intent to solidify his party’s claim on Raghopur, a seat RJD considers non-negotiable.

Also Read: Prashant Kishor Won’t Contest Bihar Polls, Raghopur Seat Goes to Local Candidate

The RJD has not yet released its full candidate list, adding intrigue to Tejashwi’s move. Political analysts interpret this as a message to both allies and rivals, particularly the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The NDA recently faced internal friction after JDU announced candidates for five seats coveted by Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), highlighting the fluidity of coalition dynamics in Bihar’s high-stakes electoral landscape.

Raghopur, a rural constituency with a significant Yadav and Muslim voter base, has been a reliable RJD fortress, bolstered by caste arithmetic and historical loyalty to the Yadav clan. Tejashwi, who served as Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahagathbandhan government until 2024, has campaigned aggressively on issues of unemployment, education, and social justice, resonating with younger voters. His 2020 victory in Raghopur saw a margin of over 38,000 votes, a testament to his entrenched popularity.

The nomination filing, conducted with procedural formalities at the Vaishali district election office, drew hundreds of RJD supporters, who gathered to cheer the 36-year-old leader. Visuals shared on social media captured Tejashwi submitting documents, flanked by party workers waving RJD flags, signaling the onset of a charged campaign season. The elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results due on November 14, promise a fierce contest as the I.N.D.I.A. bloc seeks to challenge the NDA’s governance record.

Also Read: Lalu Prasad's IRCTC Scam: Key Details and Other Pending Cases