Overview
- The Congress approved five MLC nominees late Thursday, renominating Madan Mohan Jha for Darbhanga Teachers and fielding candidates in four seats already claimed by the RJD.
- The two parties will directly contest Patna Teachers, Patna Graduates, Kosi Graduates and Darbhanga Graduates unless they reach a last-minute settlement before nominations close on October 6.
- Polling for the eight council seats is set for October 23 with counting on October 27 and the winners filling seats whose terms expire on November 16.
- RJD and Congress spokespeople publicly traded criticisms after the lists were released and ruling-party allies used the clashes to argue the opposition is disunited.
- These MLC seats are voted only by registered graduates or teachers, so local networks and targeted campaigning matter and historical ‘friendly fights’ between allies have previously split opposition support to the NDA.