Setback for NDA in Bihar: Actress-turned-politician Seema Singh’s nomination rejected

Patna: In an unexpected jolt to the ruling NDA alliance in poll-bound Bihar, the nomination papers of Seema Singh, a Bhojpuri actress-turned-politician and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate from Marhoura in Saran district, were rejected on Saturday during scrutiny.

Singh, who had been fielded by Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s party, was disqualified on technical grounds, election officials confirmed.

"We have submitted a representation before the Election Commission. The situation has arisen because of a small lapse. Hopefully, it will be resolved," Chirag Paswan told reporters, expressing hope for a possible reconsideration.

Along with Singh, Altaf Alam Raju, a former JD(U) leader who had filed as an Independent, also saw his nomination papers rejected.

With the rejection of four candidates' nominations, the Marhoura assembly seat is now poised for a direct contest between- Jitendra Kumar Rai, sitting RJD MLA and former minister, and Abhay Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party.

As of now, nine candidates remain in the fray for the constituency, which will go to polls in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections on November 6.

The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 20, after which the final list of candidates will be confirmed.