In a significant political development that has intensified the war of words in Bihar, the nomination of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Shweta Suman from the Kaimur (Mohaniya) assembly constituency has been cancelled by the Election Commission. The decision, which comes as a major blow to the opposition party, stems from discrepancies in the candidate's declared place of residence in previous and current elections.
The core of the issue lies in the details Suman provided in her affidavits. During the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, she had declared her native place as Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh. However, in her nomination papers for the 2025 elections, she listed her residence as being within Bihar.
BJP Complaint Triggers EC Action
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, flagging this inconsistency. The party alleged irregularities, arguing that the change in her declared domicile raised questions about her eligibility to contest from the constituency. Acting on the complaint, the Election Commission conducted a scrutiny of her nomination papers and subsequently rejected her candidacy on Wednesday.
"Decision Pre-Written," Alleges Suman; Points Finger at "Delhi"
A visibly upset Shweta Suman addressed the media after the decision, levying serious allegations of political interference. She claimed that the election officials had already made up their minds before the scrutiny process.
"They had already made a written decision in advance. They informed me my nomination is being rejected and that I could approach the court if I wished," Suman stated.
In a veiled jibe at the central government and the Election Commission, she alleged, "EC officials are under pressure from Delhi." She elaborated further, claiming, "Continuous pressure was being put on the RO (Returning Officer) and CO (Circle Officer). They reportedly said that they were helpless, and the officials were also receiving constant calls from the DM (District Magistrate). In a closed-door meeting, the RO reportedly said, 'I am helpless. I cannot do anything'."
Suman accused the BJP and the Bihar government of "undermining democracy" by orchestrating her disqualification.
Legal Battle and Counter-Allegations on the Horizon
Undeterred by the setback, Shweta Suman has announced her intention to challenge the Election Commission’s decision in court. This sets the stage for a legal battle that could extend beyond the immediate election timeline.
Further escalating the conflict, the RJD candidate made a counter-allegation, claiming there were irregularities in the nomination papers of the BJP candidate from the constituency, Sangita. Suman stated that a complaint had been filed regarding this, but no action has been taken by the authorities against her political rival.
The rejection of Suman's nomination has added a fresh layer of political drama to the Bihar elections. While the BJP has secured a tactical advantage in Kaimur (Mohaniya), the RJD's allegations of a biased process and its promise of a legal fight ensure that this constituency will remain in the spotlight, symbolizing the high-stakes and fiercely contested nature of the electoral battle.
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