The Janata Dal(United) has unveiled its candidates for five seats in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, in which its ally, the Congress, aims to challenge the BJP's authority.

This list, disclosed by JD(U) national general secretary Afaq Ahmed Khan on Tuesday, marks the party's initial selection of candidates for Madhya Pradesh. The state is set to hold elections for its 230-member assembly on November 17.

The five candidates are Chandra Pal Yadav for the Pichhor seat, Ram Kunwar Raikwar for Rajnagar, Shiv Narayan Soni for Vijay Raghavgarh, Tol Singh Bhuria contesting for Thandla, and Rameshwar Singla for?Petalawad.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) leader, parted ways with the BJP a year ago when he joined the 'Mahagathbandhan,' a coalition consisting of his arch-rival Lalu Prasad's RJD, Congress, and the Left. He vowed to challenge the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by forging a nationwide opposition alliance.

Kumar's efforts have played a crucial role in forming the multi-party INDIA coalition. In Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP has held power for two decades, except for a 15-month period under Congress leader Kamal Nath, Kumar's party becomes the third member of the alliance to declare its candidates.