Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Patna, Oct 24 (IANS) A total of 70 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections 2025 after the deadline for withdrawal of the second phase of nominations ended, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday.
The deadline ended at 5 pm on Thursday. For the second phase, nominations were filed for 122 assembly seats in 18 districts.
A total of 1,761 candidates had submitted their nomination papers, out of which 389 nominations were rejected during scrutiny.
After scrutiny, 1,372 nominations were found valid. After withdrawal of names of 70 candidates, now 1,302 candidates are left in the fray for the second phase.
District-wise analysis of withdrawals shows that the highest number came from Kishanganj, where 10 candidates withdrew their nominations.
Seven candidates withdrew their names in Araria, while five candidates each withdrew their names in West Champaran, East Champaran, Madhubani, Katihar and Rohtas districts.
Four candidates each withdrew their nominations in Gaya and Nawada, while three candidates each withdrew their nominations in Sitamarhi, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jehanabad and Aurangabad.
One candidate each withdrew from Sheohar, Supaul, Purnia, Arwal and Jamui and no candidate withdrew his name from Kaimur district.
The nomination process for the second phase began on 13 October and ended on 20 October, with voting scheduled for 11 November.
The upcoming assembly elections in Bihar seem to be a direct contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).
While the NDA has started its campaign under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Grand Alliance has recently resolved internal disputes over seat-sharing and leadership.
Following the intervention of senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, the alliance announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)’s Mukesh Sawhney as one of the deputy chief ministers if the alliance forms the government.
With both the alliances finalizing their strategies and leadership, Bihar is now gearing up for an intense electoral battle in the coming weeks.
–IANS
ajk/dpb