NEW DELHI: The anti-incumbency wave against several sitting MLAs seems to have played a major role as the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shortlisted 71 candidates out of its 101 allotted seats for the upcoming Bihar elections.
In Patna alone, the BJP replaced three out of six sitting MLAs and gave a chance to fresh faces. The list came as a surprise to many, as some veterans were missing while several unexpected names appeared.
For instance, former cabinet minister and Bihar assembly speaker Nand Kishore Yadav’s name was missing from the Patna Sahib seat. Similarly, many-time MLA Arun Kumar Sinha was dropped from the Kumhrar seat in Patna.
"I stand with the decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has given me a lot, and I have no complaints. I welcome and congratulate the new generation. The people of the Patna Sahib Assembly constituency have elected me seven times in a row. I will never forget the affection and love they have shown me as a BJP candidate. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone," Nand Kishore Yadav said after the BJP released its list.
Additionally, former Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav, who lost to RJD’s Misa Bharti from the Patliputra constituency in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, has been fielded from Danapur.
However, of the 71, a majority, around 50 names, are repeat candidates who contested in the 2020 elections, including Awadhesh Singh from Hajipur, Sanjay Saraogi from Darbhanga), Rana Randhir Singh from Madhuban, and Pawan Jaiswal from Dhaka.
The list of candidates also includes nine women, including shooter Shreyasi Singh, who made her debut from Jamui five years ago.
How BJP chose candidatesIn its first list, the BJP seems to strike a balance between social justice and political strategy. The list includes 20 candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) - four Yadavs, eight Vaishyas, one Dangi, four Kushwahas, and three Kurmis.
Additionally, 11 candidates from Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and six from Scheduled Caste (SC)-reserved seats are also fielded in the first phase of the elections.
A fair representation has also been given to upper-caste groups, with candidates from Bhumihar, Brahmin, Rajput, and Kayastha backgrounds. Among the upper castes, 15 Rajputs, 11 Bhumihars, seven Brahmins and one Kayastha have been included in the first list.
Fresh candidates have been fielded in Purnea, Kishanganj, Rajnagar (SC), and Narpatganj, reflecting a mix of youth representation and caste-balance considerations.
Meanwhile, prominent names in the list include deputy chief ministers Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai) and Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur), along with Mangal Pandey (Siwan), Tarkishore Prasad (Katihar), Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), and Shreyasi Singh (Jamui).
The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the Bihar assembly elections. The 243 assembly seats will go to the polls in two phases - on November 6 and November 11 - with counting scheduled for November 14.
The total number of electors in the final list stands at 7.42 crore, compared to 7.89 crore as of June 24 this year. An Election Commission press release stated that 65 lakh voters were removed from the draft list, bringing the total number of electors in the August 1, 2025 draft to 7.24 crore.
In the 2020 assembly election, the BJP contested 110 seats and won 74, securing 19.8% of the vote share. The Janata Dal (United) contested 115 seats and won 43, with 15.7% of the vote share. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) contested seven seats, winning four, and achieved 0.9% of the vote share.
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