Overview

• The Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee’s State Election Committee met in Patna on September 18 to discuss strategy, candidate options and the screening process.
• Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) made an unexpected appearance at the meeting, drawing attention to fluid local alliance dynamics.
• Congress is set to take up first‑phase candidate finalisation at a Screening Committee meeting in Delhi on September 19, according to party-linked reports.
• An extended Congress Working Committee meeting is scheduled in Patna on September 24 to deliberate on the Bihar campaign, alleged “vote chori” and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with senior leaders expected.
• Seat‑sharing talks within the Mahagathbandhan remain active, with Congress sources indicating the party could scale back its earlier 70‑seat ask to accommodate allies such as VIP, RLJP and JMM.