Patna, October 14 — Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad on Monday began distributing party tickets to his chosen candidates, even as the INDIA bloc in Bihar remained unable to finalise a seat-sharing formula. The move triggered chaotic scenes outside 10, Circular Road — the residence of Lalu’s wife and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi — where hundreds of hopefuls gathered to seek confirmation of their candidature.
Witnesses described a stampede-like situation as the couple returned from Delhi after a court appearance. Within minutes, jubilant aspirants emerged from the bungalow holding the RJD’s lantern symbol. “People had been waiting for hours. The moment someone stepped out with the symbol, the crowd erupted,” said an RJD worker at the site.
It was unclear how many tickets were distributed, but the rush came on a crucial day — the start of nominations for the second and final phase of assembly polls, with just four days left for candidates contesting in the first phase to file their papers.
Among the key figures who secured RJD tickets were Sunil Singh, a recent defector from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), who will contest from Parbatta, and Narendra Kumar Singh alias Bogo, a veteran legislator from Matihani who has earlier represented the JD(U). Their inclusion is being seen as part of Tejashwi Yadav’s broader strategy to draw support from the influential Bhumihar community, traditionally aligned with the BJP-led NDA.
Several sitting RJD MLAs — including Bhai Virendra, Chandrashekhar Yadav (Madhepura), and Israil Mansuri (Kanti) — were also spotted leaving Rabri Devi’s residence, waving their symbols. The day’s scenes mirrored those of last year’s Lok Sabha elections, when Lalu Prasad had similarly distributed tickets unilaterally, with alliance partners eventually conceding to his choices.
“The RJD chief remains unfazed by the delay in seat-sharing talks. He is setting the pace for the alliance,” said a senior party insider, noting that Lalu’s decisive style continues to shape the party’s electoral approach.
Apart from the Congress, the RJD leads a coalition that includes three Left parties and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP). Talks are also underway for a possible understanding with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Pashupati Kumar Paras’s Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP).
As deadlines near, political observers say the RJD’s assertive move may force its INDIA bloc partners to quickly settle their seat-sharing disputes. “Laluji’s decision to go ahead sends a clear message — the RJD will not wait indefinitely,” said a Patna-based analyst.
With crowds still thronging outside Rabri Devi’s residence late into the evening, the day’s events underscored once again the RJD supremo’s enduring grip over Bihar’s political theatre.
