October 20, 2025

In a dramatic twist in Bihar politics, RJD women's wing state president Ritu Jaiswal declared on Sunday that she will contest the Parihar assembly seat as an Independent. Why? Because her own party has given the ticket to none other than her rival! In a heartfelt Facebook post, Jaiswal shared her pain, saying the party chose "the daughter-in-law of Ram Chandra Purve," a former state RJD chief. She blamed Purve's "betrayal" for her narrow loss in 2020, where she missed victory by less than 2,000 votes. "I am going to file nomination papers tomorrow as an Independent candidate," said the 48-year-old leader, who kicked off her political career as an educated Panchayat Mukhiya. She added that although the party offered her a seat elsewhere, "that would be a deal against my conscience." Ritu Jaiswal isn't new to tough fights. Married to ex-civil servant Arun Kumar, who gave up a golden government career to become Mukhiya of Singjvahini Panchayat in Sitamarhi, she runs in the same area where her political journey took off. Just last year, she contested the Lok Sabha polls from Sheohar but lost by under 30,000 votes to JD(U)'s Lovely Anand. The RJD has not officially announced candidate lists yet. But social media is buzzing with pictures showing Smita Purve receiving the party symbol from Tejashwi Yadav, the son of RJD national president Lalu Prasad Yadav. With both women locked in fierce rivalry, the Parihar seat promises an electrifying fight that voters will watch closely!

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Tags: Rjd, Ritu jaiswal, Bihar elections, Independent candidate, Parihar assembly seat, Tejashwi yadav,