Patna, Oct 16: The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday released its second list of candidates for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

The list features 44 candidates, including several influential leaders, sitting MLAs, and young faces from various social and professional backgrounds, reflecting the party’s attempt to balance experience with fresh energy.

With this second list, the party has now intensified its election preparations.

In a statement, the JD(U) congratulated all its candidates, saying the list was prepared with the goal of ensuring inclusive development under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The list includes prominent leaders such as Dhirendra Pratap Singh alias Rinku Singh (Valmikinagar), Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Raj (Amarpur), Mahabali Singh (Karakat), and Sumit Kumar Singh (Chakai).

Other names include Samridh Verma (Sikta), Shweta Gupta (Sheohar), Pankaj Mishra (Runnisaidpur), Sudhanshu Shekhar (Harlakhi), Meena Kamat (Babubarhi), Sheela Mandal (Phulparas), Satish Sah (Laukaha), Aniruddh Prasad Yadav (Nirmali), Vijendra Prasad Yadav (Supaul), Bulo Mandal (Gopalpur), Lalit Narayan Mandal (Sultanganj), Manorama Devi (Belaganj), Chetan Anand (Navinagar) and Vibha Devi (Nawada).

Significantly, the JD(U) has included four Muslim candidates in this list – a move seen as a course correction after the party’s first list, which featured no Muslim candidates, drew criticism.

The Muslim candidates in the second list are Janab Manzar Alam (Jokihat), Jama Khan (Chainpur), Saba Zafar (Aamour), and Shagufta Azim (Araria).

Political observers note that this inclusion indicates Nitish Kumar’s effort to retain minority support and balance the NDA’s overall social outreach, especially after the BJP’s candidate lists excluded Muslim names altogether.

The second list showcases the strategy of the JD(U) of combining social inclusivity, regional representation, and loyalty.

The inclusion of seasoned faces like Leshi Singh and Mahabali Singh alongside younger leaders such as Shweta Gupta and Samridh Verma suggests the party’s attempt to appeal to both rural and urban voters.

With this list, the JD(U) has now declared 101 candidates across two phases, leaving the NDA’s seat-sharing picture almost complete.

The party’s next focus will be on grassroots mobilisation and campaign coordination across all constituencies.

Bihar will vote in two phases – November 6 and November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.

Mumbai, Oct 16: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has opened up about his much-anticipated role in the upcoming film “Thamma.” He shared that it’s a role his kids are particularly excited about.

In an exclusive quote shared with media, Nawazuddin revealed that his performance is bound to delight his children, giving a glimpse into the personal connection he feels with this project. Talking about his role, the ‘Lunchbox’ actor shared, “Trust me, I’ve wanted to do something like this for a while,” he grins, clearly excited about the film. “My kids are going to be thrilled. I play a very weird character — but that weirdness is fascinating. It’s nothing like what I’ve done before, and I had an absolute blast on set.”

“It’s like being a batsman. You’re ready, but you still don’t expect that kind of delivery. Thank God I got it! I’m just happy filmmakers still see me in such unexpected avatars,” added Nawazuddin.

In the upcoming film, Siddiqui will be seen playing the role of Yakshasan. “Thamma” also stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna and Paresh Rawal in key roles. Directed by Aditya Sarpotda, the romantic comedy horror is set to hit theatres worldwide on 21st October. “Thamma” is penned by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Falara and produced by Dinesh Vijan alongside Amar Kaushik.

The film serves as the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Speaking about her role, Rashmika, during the trailer launch of the movie, had shared, Hi guys, I am so sorry that I couldn’t be at the trailer launch. I am shooting for ‘Cocktail 2’ in Sicily right now, but I really really hope that you liked the Thamma trailer and the brand new Maddok horror comedy. Tadaka is such an important and strong character, and I had the honor and the privilege of playing her. I absolutely loved playing her part on screen. I can’t wait for all of you to watch Thamma in the theatre this Diwali.”

New Delhi, Oct 16: As the campaigning gathers pace in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday allotted digital vouchers to both national and state parties for free telecast time on the two leading national broadcasters – Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR).

The digital vouchers facilitate political parties (national parties and recognised state parties) to use limited ‘free time’ on the state-owned television and radio channels for campaigning and expanding reach to the masses on their respective poll promises.

The digital time vouchers have been issued to all national and state political parties in Bihar for the Legislative Assembly elections, under Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Under the policy, free broadcasting and telecasting facilities of base time of 45 minutes have been allotted on both Doordarshan and All India Radio, for each party to be uniformly provided on the regional network within the state.

Additional time could be allotted to the parties, based on their poll performance in the last Assembly elections.

Issuing the guidelines, the ECI said, “The broadcast/telecast period will be scheduled between the date of publication of the list of contesting candidates in each phase and two days before the date of poll in Bihar. The actual broadcast/telecast will be scheduled in advance through a draw of lots in the presence of authorised representatives of the parties and officials from the office of the CEO, Bihar.”

The ECI guidelines mandate that the political parties submit the transcripts and recordings in advance, strictly adhering to the relevant guidelines, and the recordings may be made in studios meeting the technical standards as prescribed by Prasar Bharati.

“Prasar Bharati Corporation will organise up to two panel discussions and/or debates on Doordarshan and All India Radio for Bihar. Each eligible party may nominate one representative for the programme, which will be moderated by an approved coordinator,” an ECI release said.