Patna: The final day for filing nominations for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections unfolded with emotional scenes, celebrity appearances and high-voltage political drama. From Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav to folk singer Maithili Thakur and strongman Munna Shukla’s daughter Shivani, Friday saw a colourful mix of faces entering the electoral fray.
In Darbhanga, Bihar minister Jivesh Mishra drew attention by arriving on a bicycle to file his nomination papers from the Jale constituency, symbolising a modest, people-centric campaign. Meanwhile, tension simmered in Lalganj, where the RJD and Congress are going head-to-head. Shivani, the daughter of jailed strongman Munna Shukla, filed her nomination as an RJD candidate, accompanied by her mother Anu Shukla, who appeared visibly emotional.
In Chhapra, a sea of supporters surrounded Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician Khesari Lal Yadav as he reached the nomination centre to submit his papers on an RJD ticket. The star waved to the cheering crowd, his entry adding glitz to the election scene.
Over in Alinagar, newly inducted BJP member and folk singer Maithili Thakur filed her nomination wearing a traditional turban. Thakur, who joined the party just three days ago, said she hopes to bring “cultural pride and women’s voices” to Bihar’s political space.
In Patna Sahib, BJP candidate Ratnesh Kushwaha also submitted his nomination papers, joined by senior leader Nand Kishore Yadav, a seven-time MLA from the same constituency.
Meanwhile, JDU’s Chetan Anand filed his nomination from Navinagar, and BJP’s Satish Kumar Yadav entered the race from Raghopur, where he will face Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader and Opposition’s chief ministerial face. Bhola Yadav, a close aide of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, also filed his nomination the same day.
The Congress camp was equally busy, with state president Rajesh Ram Kutumba, Shakeel Ahmed Khan from Kadwa, and other candidates filing their papers across constituencies.
Adding to the day’s star power, several national leaders attended nomination rallies for BJP candidates, including Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Bollywood and Bhojpuri MPs Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari, and Annapurna Devi were also seen rallying in support.
